When choosing a career path, you may not think about workplace injuries or fatalities. The truth is, no workplace is 100% safe, not even office desk jobs. Some professions carry a higher risk of injury or death than others.
In Colorado, at least 70 people were killed while on the job every year from 2010 through 2020. In this article, our workers’ compensation lawyers will highlight the state’s most dangerous professions.
Trade, Transportation and Utilities
Of the 78 workplace deaths that occurred in Colorado in 2020, 32 of them were in the trade, transportation and utilities category. Some examples of jobs that fall under this umbrella include truck drivers, electric utility line-workers, and public transportation workers.
Many of the jobs in these categories are high-risk due to the nature of the work, such as truckers driving for long hours to transport goods or utility workers being exposed to live electrical components.
Retail trade is also included in this category accounting for nine of the 32 deaths. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics defines retailing broadly to include everything from working at a department store to door-to-door sales to street vendors.
Construction
18 Colorado construction workers lost their lives on the job in 2020. That’s about 23% of the state’s total workplace deaths, which is in line with the national average for the industry. Construction work is notoriously dangerous, with everyday occupational hazards that include:
- Falls from heights
- Scaffolding collapses
- Heavy machinery accidents
- Working with power tools
- Electrocution and electric shock
- Trench collapses
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Being struck by falling objects
Professional and Business Services
In 2020, six fatalities occurred in professional and business services. This category consists of three fields:
- Professional, scientific and technical services, which saw three fatalities
- Administrative support and waste management and remediation, which also saw three deaths
- Management of companies and enterprises, which recorded no workplace deaths
Some potentially deadly hazards facing workers in these industries include chemical exposure, transportation accidents and potential slip-and-fall incidents.
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting
Five fatalities were recorded in 2020 for this job category. Those who work in these professions face numerous risks, such as:
- Boat and ATV crashes
- Slips and falls from tree stands
- Falling overboard
- Firearms accidents
- Animal attacks
- Incidents involving farm equipment
Hurt at Work? Get Help From a Denver Workers’ Comp Lawyer
The attorneys of Keating Wagner Polidori Free have represented injured Colorado workers for decades. We’ll help you navigate the state’s workers’ comp system and fight for you in negotiations and trial if necessary. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t have to pay attorney’s fees unless we help obtain compensation for you.
To arrange a free initial consultation with one of our experienced Denver lawyers, call us at 303-534-0401 or contact us online today.
