Every day millions go to work to earn a living, but for some, the risks to their safety and even their lives can be overwhelming. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics recently revealed the most dangerous jobs, where injuries are likely and death is far from unheard of.
The types of jobs included were mostly blue collar in nature. Farmers, roofers, miners, truck drivers, police officers, and garbage collectors were all listed as being prone to workplace accidents. One by one, these workers make large contributions to the resources and safety of all of us. And for all their danger, these jobs don't make anyone rich, as average compensation for these positions is modest at best.
While many employers in these industries have some sort of workers' compensation plan in place, with the high level of danger involved and frequent workplace accidents, there are no doubt many workers' compensation cases that are never filed. Some workers may think their own injuries are minor compared to some of their coworkers.
But whether you work in one of these dangerous occupations or someplace relatively safe, like an office, work injuries are something we all need to take seriously and report, even if we think our injuries aren't serious. In the case of these high-danger positions, getting a second opinion on your company's workers' compensation policy isn't a bad idea.
Working for a living is something we all spend many years on. Doing so is how we support our families and life goals. We deserve and have a legal right to stay safe while doing it.
Source: Yahoo! Finance, "The 10 Most Dangerous Jobs in the U.S.," Travers Korch, June 4, 2012
