Workplace Injuries & Deaths Still Too Common in 2023
While many likely believe that we have come a long way since the 1800s, when it was common for workers to face terrible work conditions and get injured or die at work, in reality, a number of workers are still very much at risk in the workplace, in spite of our many technological advances. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, close to 5,200 workplace fatalities were recorded in 2022, reflecting an almost nine percent increase from 2020, and in 2021, one worker died every 101 minutes from a workplace injury here in the U.S.
In addition, these harrowing statistics are still affecting children in the workplace, many of whom work in industries that were exempted from child protection laws, such as agriculture. Now there is a push in a number of states to loosen what child labor laws are already in place; meanwhile, more and more children die at work from accidents every day in incidents that occur in slaughterhouses, saw mills, landfills, and more.
A Lack of Proper Incentives
A lack of proper protections is still also very much affecting adults in the workplace as well, and many believe it is because the repercussions associated with a worker dying on the job still do not hit employers hard enough to truly incentivize the proper preventative measures. For example, under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules, a company faces a penalty of approximately $12,000 in federal fines when a worker dies on the job, and approximately $7,000 under the state equivalent.
Take Amazon, for example: The company has faced approximately $150,000 in OSHA fines since January of this year alone due to violation of worker safety laws, all while raking in approximately $500 billion in revenue in 2022 alone.
Inequity Issues
Meanwhile, workers who work outside and are exposed to particularly hazardous conditions, especially due to rising temperatures and a climate crisis. Heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses claimed the lives of far too many workers this last summer, with close to 350 workers dying each day due to these working conditions, and excess heat is only expected to continue to pose danger to those who work outdoors. This also has a racial justice and inequality aspect to it, as Black and Latino workers continue to die at higher rates due to these conditions.
Contact Our Macon, Georgia Work Injury Recovery Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has suffered harm or loss due to dangerous working conditions here in Macon, Georgia, it is critical that you speak with a local personal injury attorney right away in order to preserve your rights to obtain justice. At the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill, our Macon workers’ compensation attorneys have worked on all forms of work-related injury cases. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and find out more.
Source:
teenvogue.com/story/workplace-injury-death-us
