Every workplace has some degree of inherent danger, be it from another coworker’s actions, hazardous chemicals, heavy machinery, and so forth. Some workplaces seem to be more dangerous than most, though. To get an idea of what workplaces are causing severe injuries and fatalities more than others in Virginia, our Alexandria accident attorneys of The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC have taken a look at the 2016 fatal occupational injury statistics of Virginia from the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Are Workplace Fatalities On the Rise?
According to the BLS, 153 workers in Virginia lost their lives in a workplace-related accident or incident in 2016. This number is dramatically higher than the 106 reported in 2015. The last year to exceed the 153 total for 2016 was 2008, which reached a high of 156. In relation to the rest of the country, the highest number of fatalities reported was 186, with the lowest at 106.
What Types of Injuries are the Most Problematic?
Transportation accidents and workplace violence accounted for 58% of all workplace fatalities in Virginia, according to the 2016 dataset. The number of transportation deaths in Virginia rose by 25% between 2015 and 2016. However, in that same time period, the number of workplace violence deaths increased by more than 300%.
This is an unusual and concerning trend. Typically, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) crush and fall accidents are the leading causes of death. Yet the 2016 Virginia fatal occupational injury statistics show crush/contact and fall accidents were the third and fourth most common causes of fatalities, respectively.
What Industry is Proving to Be the Most Dangerous?
The BSL reports that the private transportation industry was the most dangerous in Virginia of 2016. The most dangerous type of transportation service is transporting construction and industrial materials. The majority of transportation-related deaths in these industries occurred as either vehicle collisions while transporting materials, or crush injuries from mishandled heavy cargo.
What Can Be Done to Stop Workplace Fatalities in Virginia?
The statistics show us which industries and occupations are the most dangerous and for what reasons. Now, it is time to take action to make corrections. Further legislation could place regulations on the transportation industry, for example, to require more safety measures when transporting heavy, industrial materials. Workplace violence could also be stemmed with requirements for improved security and background checks, as well as therapeutic counseling offered to workers who are feeling overstressed.
To view a full report about the fatal occupational injury statistics for Virginia (2016), you can click here for a detailed report from the BLS. If you were seriously injured or lost a loved one in a workplace accident in Virginia, call (571) 290-2390 to connect with The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC. Our Alexandria workers’ compensation lawyers and personal injury attorneys are here to help you explore your options during an initial case evaluation.