Though the wheels of industry have again begun moving faster in the past few years, one negative aspect of that growth has been in relation to industrial accidents within Louisiana.
Sobering Numbers
In 2013, the last year for which statistics are available, 114 people died in work-related accidents in the state. That was actually a slight improvement (by two) from the year before, with just over 60 percent of those deaths taking place in one of five fields: 37 came in the utilities, trade and transportation fields; the construction industry dealt with 17 deaths; and mining and natural resources accounted for 15.
Even for those accidents that don’t result in a fatality, Louisiana’s status as having the second highest rate of workplace illnesses or injuries in the United States shows that the problem is a continuing one.
Real-Life Examples
Some recent stories from the past few years show that dangers lurk everywhere when it comes to the industrial workplace within the Bayou State:
One mechanic was killed and another injured in New Orleans in February 2011 when the force from a tire they were working on exploded off its axle. The injured man suffered a number of broken bones in the tragedy.
In October 2013, a worker at a plant in Baker that helps create pipes for oil and gas companies, died after being pinned between a pair of large pipes. The man was caught between them when one was rolled forward.
In Lincoln Parish, two men were killed in June 2014 after a drilling rig’s components was unable to control the extreme pressure that had built up. The resulting explosion also injured another worker, who was treated and released at a nearby hospital.
A fish processing plant in Empire was the site of an August 2014 accident in which two men suffered severe injuries to their legs. The two had been performing maintenance on the counter machine of a fish sorter when a slip resulted in the mishap.
The Causes of Accidents in Industry
Given the potential dangers involved with these different industries, companies can fail to make sure that the people they’re hiring are made aware of those hazards and trained appropriately.
The company itself may not have been proactive in establishing specific areas that could possibly be dangerous. For example, the many simultaneous events taking place on a construction site demand an awareness from all involved.
That concentration may not have been emphasized when using equipment such as saws or those that are electricity-based. In addition, working conditions surrounding these areas may be surrounded by a host of negative issues. These can include noise, excessive heat or unhealthy fumes or odors.
Other workers are at risk if another employee attempts to take a shortcut in order to save some time. This might involve rushing to get the job started before receiving all instructions or neglecting to take the proper safety precautions. In some cases, it may be simple attention to the task at hand.
The Bottom Line
While avoiding these situations in the first place is the goal for both employers and workers, the information above shows that reaching anything near perfection is still nowhere within reach.
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