Doctor bandaging arm of a injured factory worker. Credit: bnenin/Adobe Stock
Manual labor and health care workers are impacted most by workplace accidents, according to a report by Everly Life.
Manual labor employees account for over 10% of all workplace injuries, the data showed, while health care workers represent nearly 13% combined. The most impacted positions are freight, stock, and material movers, registered nurses and nursing assistants.
“The physical demands, combined with potential hazards from equipment and materials, create significant risks,” said Meredith Bell, a life insurance expert at Everly Life.
At the same time, “Health care workers face unique challenges,” she added. “They deal with physical strain from patient handling, exposure to infectious diseases, and high-stress environments that can lead to accidents.”
Getting hurt on the job for more than a third of U.S. workers happens within their first year.
Thirty-five percent of workplace injuries happen during the initial 12 months, resulting in over six million missed workdays. First-year injuries make up 32% of all workers compensation claim costs.
Claims with the greatest impact on injured employees and a cost over $250,000 are related to slips, trips and falls, overexertion, being struck by an object, motor vehicle accidents, or being caught-in or caught-between hazards.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says the average age of U.S. workers is ticking higher.
Roughly one in four U.S. workers will be 55 or older by 2033, the BLS reported. Just over 15% of U.S. workers were 55 and older in 2003. During the next 20 years, the BLS predicts a 117% spike in both the 65 and older and 75 and older age groups.
“As the average age of workers increases, there is a higher incidence of chronic health conditions and comorbidities, along with an increased likelihood of workplace injuries and longer recovery times,” McGowan Program Administrators said in a December 2024 report. “Workers’ compensation programs must implement tailored safety programs and ergonomic solutions, focusing on preventive care and health maintenance. These measures are essential to support older workers in maintaining their health and productivity, ensuring a safer and more efficient workplace.”
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