Workplace Accidents are a Top Killer in the US

Since we try to put a strong focus on workplace safety, we often comb through statistics regarding health, dangers and injury in the workplace. We try to come forth with relative statistics to help create awareness and give you the knowledge to create a safer workplace, regardless of the hazards. We know injuries can happen at work, and we know that many of them can also be prevented.

With June being National Safety Month, The National Safety Council created a press release recently to make a few interesting points and create some much needed awareness. The interesting points? Well, accidental injuries are one of the leading causes of death in the US - number 5 actually.

With it being the 5th largest killer, we've broken accidental death down further to show the 3 major causes:

1. Poisoning
2. Motor Vehicle Crashes/Equipment Accidents
3. Falls

Keep in mind that these include injuries to the general public as well as in the workplace.

Now for the rest of the list - here's the top 15 causes of death within the United States, as listed by the NSC.

1. Heart disease
2. Cancer
3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases
4. Stroke
5. Unintentional injuries (accidents)
6. Alzheimer’s disease
7. Diabetes
8. Kidney disease
9. Flu and pneumonia
10. Intentional self harm (suicide)
11. Septicemia (blood poisoning)
12. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
13. Hypertension
14. Parkinson’s disease, and
15. Pneumonitis (inflammation of lung tissue) due to solids and liquids.

While it's surely an eye opener those of us working in areas that hold potential dangers, it's also an eye opener for the general public. This data actually had the NSC wondering if americans are worrying about the wrong things when it comes to safety.

You may think the top leading causes of death would be murders or drunk driving accidents but they're not. In fact, they don't even rank in the top 15 of the list. What's equally interesting is that aside from accidental death, the vast majority of the top 15 killer in the US are health related.

So be healthy, be safe and share this with whoever you can. Many people might be surpassed to see what the list consists of.

More importantly, don't forget that accidental death is the 5th largest killer in the US. Share that fact with co-workers and managers, it's important to know. Have a safe month and be sure to schedule a safety review meeting for June, after all, it is National Safety Month.