Reality television has a way of glamorizing good, old fashioned outdoor work, with shows like "Extreme Loggers," "Deadliest Catch" and "Dirty Jobs." And although it can be hard to tear yourself away from these shows, we have to admit that part of the intrigue is the extreme dangers these people face every day on the job, especially compared to those of us sitting at a desk.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 4,340 fatal injuries were recorded in the U.S. in 2009. The video above reports the Top 10 most dangerous jobs and the death tolls that arise from them-from construction workers to commercial fishermen-and seven out of the 10 jobs are predominately outdoor jobs.
Some of the biggest risks involved in outdoor work include:
Transportation: According to the SafetyResource.org, "Three of the top five most-dangerous jobs have a majority of fatalities from transportation accidents." This means that workers using company vehicles of any kind should be trained to always wear seat belts, consistently check the condition of their vehicles and have proper training and testing with the vehicle's controls.
Weather: Outdoor workers often have to face the elements, from extreme heat and humidity to extreme cold and snow. Then there are the risks from electrical storms and those weather hazards that seem to come out of nowhere, like tornados and flash floods. Employees should be properly trained on how to dress and protect themselves from the elements, should be allowed to break regularly, seek shelter whenever possible, and know when it's time to stop work in certain conditions.
Diseases & Chemical Exposure: Some outdoor workers, including loggers, fishermen and farmers, are faced with exposure to different kinds of disease-carrying animals, allergy-causing plants and hazardous chemicals. Employers should be sure to cover all of their bases, and include training and emergency rescue measures to be taken in case of exposure to anything that could potentially harm workers.
Noise & Hearing Loss: According to the CDC occupational hearing loss is the most common work related injury in the U.S., with a reported 22 million employees exposed to hazardous levels. Many outdoor workers are faced with this risk; think chain saw and construction machinery, for starters. The CDC recommends that employers make sure to remove the hazardous noises if at all possible, and/or always provide and train employees on the use of hearing protection devices.
As an employer in North Carolina, you want to make sure you have adequate business insurance that covers all potential employees and the liabilities they face on a daily basis. To make sure your company and employees are protected and covered from all potential risks, call or Contact Litaker Insurance today.