Making Lives Better
After Accidents

The most dangerous work environment isn’t what people expect

On Behalf of | May 22, 2023 | Workers' Compensation

There are dangers involved in every job, but some careers are simply more risky than others. Anyone questioned about what the most dangerous professions are might rattle off the careers where people are more likely to die, including professional fishermen, forestry or timber workers and construction professionals. 

When looking at what workers are the most likely to suffer an injury that forces them to take time off of the job, a very different work environment is actually at the top of the list as the most dangerous. Where are workers most likely to get hurt on the job? 

Hospitals are the most dangerous work environment

According to a thorough analysis of reported workplace injuries and lost-time incidents, hospitals see more worker injuries than all private industries combined — even more than construction sites. (That probably surprises almost everybody except hospital employees.)

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, private industry as a whole saw 105.2 worker injuries per 10,000 full-time employees. Manufacturing workers saw 111.8 injuries per 10,000 workers, while the construction industry saw 147.4 injuries. However, there were 157.5 worker injuries requiring time away from work for every 10,000 hospital employees.  

The top risks for those in hospital environments include overexertion, contact with dangerous objects, interpersonal violence and falls. Hospital workers, under pressure to provide timely care for a large number of patients, may end up injured and unable to continue working — at least temporarily — after an incident on the job. Pursuing workers’ compensation benefits can help hospital workers and others in high-risk workplaces recover lost wages and connect with treatment for there on the job injuries.