Illinois Industries With the Highest Number of Non-Fatal Injuries

Since the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in 1970, the U.S. government has placed an increased focus on decreasing the number of injuries happening in workplaces across the country. Today, OSHA still pushes for workplace safety and adequate training and precautions to try to prevent as many workplace injuries as possible. Unfortunately, workplace injuries are still common. According to the latest information from the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were an estimated 132,400 workplace injuries recorded throughout the state in 2017. Though an injury can happen in any workplace, there are certain industries that have more workplace injuries than others.

1. Health Care and Social Assistance: Most of the time, people think that the most dangerous industries to work in are those that use heavy machinery such as construction or factory work. In reality, the health care industry is typically the industry that has the highest number of workplace injuries. In Illinois, there were an estimated 21,300 injuries in this industry in 2017. Workplaces in this industry commonly include nursing and residential care facilities and hospitals.
2. Manufacturing: While it is not the industry that has the most workplace injuries, manufacturing still ranks rather high when it comes to being hurt on the job. In 2017, an estimated 18,100 injuries occurred in manufacturing. This category covers most types of manufacturing, including plastics and rubber manufacturing, food manufacturing, textile mills, computer and electronic manufacturing and petroleum and coal products manufacturing.
3. Retail Trade: Working in retail trade also has the possibility of being dangerous. An estimated 14,400 injuries were recorded in Illinois in 2017. The retail industry includes general merchandise stores, food and beverage stores, clothing stores and furniture and home furnishing stores. Many times, injuries recorded in this industry are overexertion, falls or trips.
4. Transportation and Warehousing: The transportation and warehousing industry consists of nearly all types of transportation, such as air, water, rail and truck transportation, pipeline transportation, postal service and couriers and messengers. Around 10,900 injuries were recorded in this industry, with the majority coming from truck transportation.
5. Entertainment and Hospitality: There is a wide range of workplaces that are included in the entertainment and hospitality industry, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos, amusement parks, and museums. An estimated 10,700 injuries were recorded in 2017, with the foodservice industry carrying the majority of the injuries.

Have You Been Injured on the Job? A Cook County Workers’ Compensation Attorney Can Help

Being hurt while you are at work can change the course of your and your family’s lives forever. Not only can a workplace injury plunge you into financial distress, but you could also be facing the effects of your injuries for the rest of your life. At the Fotopoulos Law Office, we will protect your interests at all times and aggressively pursue every source of compensation possible. If you have been hurt on the job, do not wait – call our skilled Tinley Park, IL, workers’ compensation lawyers today at 708-942-8400 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

Survey of Occupational Injuriesand Illnesses in Illinois, 2017

Goods-Producing Industries