What Are The Most Dangerous Industries In Colorado

Occupational hazards are realities in several different industries. From construction, to linemen, transportation services and countless others, there are industries that possess a far greater risk than others. But what are the most dangerous types of industries and jobs in Colorado?

Per the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment work fatalities decreased between 2016 and 2017. In 2017 there were 77 fatal work injuries in the state opposed to 81 the previous year.

Below are four of the most dangerous industries in the state of Colorado based on the most recent data available from 2017:

Service Providing

Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) individuals employed as a service provider accounted for the largest amount of fatal work occupation accidents in 2017. These accidents accounted for 40 of the 72 total fatal injuries or 55% of the total fatal injuries that occurred in the calendar year.

Types of jobs and occupations that fall under the service providing umbrella including occupations that pertain to trade transportation and utilities. Occupations such as, but not limited to, truck drivers, utility linemen and public transit or transportation workers make up the largest amount of fatalities for the 2017 calendar year.

Goods Producing

The second most dangerous classification of occupation from the BLS are occupations that fall under the umbrella of goods production. This larger sector entails several occupations including miners, oil workers, agricultural and foresters along with individuals involved in fishing and hunting occupations.

These occupations expose employees to several high risks ranging from transportation accidents to falls slip and fall accidents. In 2017, the number of good producers that suffered fatal accidents in the state numbered 32.

Transportation and Warehousing

One of the more dangerous jobs in the United States are the ones associated with transporting goods. From truck drivers, to warehouse employees, these occupations come with high risks. From long hours on the road for truckers, to heavy objects and the potentials for slip and fall injuries in the warehouse.

In 2017, jobs grouped under transportation and warehousing accounted for 12 of the 72 fatal accidents in the state of Colorado.

Administrative and Waste Services

In 2017, 8 fatalities occurred in administrative and waste services. Some typical occupations that are grouped in this larger sector include waste management employees, clerks and additional administrative jobs.

Some of the occupations that these employees are exposed to include transportation accidents from one destination to another, and potential slip and fall or equipment injuries.

What to do If You Feel Unsafe at Work or a Loved One Has Fallen Victim to a Fatality?

If you see something that appears to be dangerous, or violates any health and safety law it is imperative that you report these unsafe working conditions to a supervisor. If a supervisor does not take proper safety measures to ensure the wellness of the company's employees, it may be necessary to contact OSHA and report an unsafe working condition. Please understand that whistleblowers are protected by the law and it is illegal for employers to retaliate against whisteblowers. If no action is taken regarding the unsafe working conditions, it is OK to stay home to avoid these potentially injurious conditions

If a loved one has lost their life as a result of a work accident in Colorado, please understand that there is help out there. The loss of a loved one can be absolutely devastating to the surviving members of a family, but a wrongful death attorney can help the surviving members recoup losses and damages.

Some industries are far more dangerous than others. If you work in an industry that has a higher accident rate compared to it's counterparts, it is best to ensure that your work environment is in compliance with local, state and federal safety measures.