Manufacturing is a big part of Minnesota’s economy.
It employs over 300,000 workers, in jobs that generally pay pretty well compared to other industries. About half of these jobs are in the Twin Cities and about half in Greater Minnesota. Overall, manufacturing contributes more to GDP than any other private-sector industry.
But machine operators and other manufacturing workers also face a greater likelihood of serious work injuries than other workers. What does the data say about how hospitalization reports in manufacturing compare to other industries?
Injury reports
Last year, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) began requiring employers to file reports about serious work injuries. Overall, the DOL received nearly 30 such reports every day.
The reports came from numerous industries – not all of which are commonly associated with work injuries. Retail trade, for example, accounted for 8 percent of the hospitalization reports.
Manufacturing and Construction
The most reports of hospitalization, however, came from the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing accounted for 26 percent of the reports, or more than 1 in every 4.
The construction industry had the second highest number of reports. Construction accounted for 19 percent of the hospitalization reports, or nearly 1 in 4.
This means that, taken together, manufacturing and construction combined for 45 percent of hospitalization reports on work injuries last year.
Workers’ compensation is important to workers in all industries. But clearly the likelihood of actually needing it is generally higher in some sectors of the economy than in others.
If you are a machine operator who got hurt recently on the job, this reality may be all too real to you. The same is true if you are a construction worker.
Your Particular Situation
If you suffered an injury on the job, you probably have many questions about the workers’ compensation process. A knowledgeable attorney can help you assert your rights that process, whether you were working in manufacturing, construction or some other industry.