Workers across many industry sectors are injured in fall accidents while on the job every year. A 2009 review of statistics done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics points to the significance of fall injury accidents. According to the report, 212,760 workers were seriously injured and 605 died as a result of falling either on the same level or to a level below during that year.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, workplace fall accidents often involve slick surfaces, cluttered floors, unstable walkways, holes in floors, unprotected edges, inadequate fall protection or improperly used ladders. The construction industry accounted for the greatest number of workplace fall fatalities, while the wholesale, retail and health care industries had high numbers of accidents.
The monetary costs are high, averaging $70 billion a year in the U.S. According to the CDC, strong regulations, good monitoring, training programs and the implementation of adequate fall protection all combine to reduce the number of falls. The report indicates that the rates of fall injuries and fatalities remain consistent due to a low emphasis on safety practices across industries.
Workplace injuries occur with great frequency in Minnesota companies. Employers would be wise to implement sound safety policies and procedures designed to prevent the number of work-related accidents at their companies. In addition to monetary losses, the loss in terms of human life can not be overstated. Those who are injured due to falling at work may be eligible to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. In the event a portion of the claim or the entire claim is denied or disputed, an injured claiming may want to seek out the help of a workers’ compensation attorney to appeal the decision.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Fall Injuries Prevention in the Workplace”, accessed on Jan. 10, 2015