Dangerous Jobs & Workers’ Rights
On the job accidents and injuries can happen in any job or occupation. However, there are certain types of jobs and career fields in which employees are at an even greater risk. In addition to facing more significant dangers than workers in other fields, they have a greater tendency to suffer more severe injuries. While some of these types of jobs may seem obvious, others involve less common and more hidden dangers. A recent on the job accident involving a city trash collector highlights the risks and the extra precautions these employees need to take.
Aiken Trash Collector Killed In Pedestrian Accident
According to a July 8, 2019 WRDW news report, a city trash collector who works for the Aiken Department of Public Safety was injured when he was struck by a passing motorist while on the job. The accident happened on York Street, near the intersection of Eastern Place. The employee involved, a 17-year-old Aiken resident, is a college student working during the summer months.
The student was apparently emptying trash cans into the sanitation truck as it moved up York Street when a minivan headed northbound struck him. The young man suffered serious injuries in the collision and required emergency surgery. He is being treated at a local hospital and is expected to make a complete recovery. However, the recuperation process is likely to be lengthy and he could end up suffering permanent disabilities. The road on which the accident occurred is known for being dangerous in terms of car accident risks.
Know the Risks When Working In Dangerous Jobs
Trash collection services is not something you would think of as being inherently dangerous. However, refuse and recycling collection workers are among the most at risk for on the job injuries, according to a recent report by Industrial Safety and Hygiene News. Working with large compacting machines and having to perform most of their work by the side of the road increases the likelihood of serious job-related accidents. Other occupations which were named as among the top 20 most dangerous occupations include:
Logging and forestry workers
Carpenters and woodworking professionals
Road construction crews
Excavators and other landscaping workers
Maintenance workers
Roofers
Construction builders, inspectors, and service providers, such as electricians
Septic tank and sewer workers
Transportation workers, including bus drivers and those in the aviation industry
Delivery drivers and truck drivers
Health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, and hospital administrative employees
Law enforcement and rescue personnel
When employees in these fields suffer serious on the job injuries, benefits available through the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) can help offset the medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs they incur as a result.
Contact Us Today for Help
When on the job accidents and injuries happen in any occupation, the Surasky Law Firm, LLC. is here to help you get the benefits you and your family need to recover. To discuss your rights to these benefits, contact our Aiken, SC workers’ compensation attorney to request a consultation today.
