The National Safety Council (NSC) just released its analysis of injuries in the workplace for 2017. The complete findings can be found on its Injury Facts web site, but there was some interesting yet troubling news for the woman worker.
Number of assaults is disproportionately high
The most troubling NSC analysis was that women workers sustain 70 percent of assault-related injuries that were not fatal. This means that 12,820 women were involved in assaults in the workplace in 2017, which is a 60 percent jump from 2011. At 30 percent, men sustained 5,530 assault-related injuries in 2017 that were not fatal.
Other safety issues facing women workers
The NSC also found other circumstances where women were more likely to sustain an injury at work:
- Women workers were treated for 61 percent of complications due to repetitive motion
- Women workers were treated for 59 percent of injuries accidentally caused by someone else
- Women workers were treated for 57 percent of falls on the same level
Common professions more dangerous to women
Perhaps to the surprise of some, women workers sustained non-fatal injuries or illnesses at a higher rate in these occupations:
- Women workers in the healthcare field were treated for 80 percent of injuries or illnesses
- Women workers in the education field were treated for 61 percent of injuries or illnesses
- Women office workers were treated for 60 percent of injuries or illnesses
Women workers deserve better
The NSC has yet to break down these numbers on a state by state basis for 2017. Nevertheless, businesses here in Louisiana do not need to wait to reevaluate the safety of the office, school, factory, restaurant, or worksite to initiate new measures for a safer work environment for all workers.
Women workers who are ill or injured should seek medical help as soon as possible. It is advisable to speak with an attorney if the injuries are serious or long-lasting. While these may involve a workers’ compensation claim, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary to secure damages for time away from work, medical expenses and other related issues.
