Every job has its challenges, but some careers have higher risks than others. In high-risk trades, workers and managers should be sure to implement safety measures to help keep people from being injured on the job.

Knowing which jobs are the most dangerous is the first step. One of the best examples of a high-risk job is construction. People in this trade can fall off high places, be crushed under building materials, or receive serious injuries while using tools such as power saws or blowtorches. Chemicals can burn people’s skin or harm their eyes, and fires can break out, especially if electrical wiring is not working properly. Some of these risks are also issues in other trades, but construction sites are especially vulnerable.

Statistics show that construction continues to be a dangerous trade. More than 40,000 construction workers are injured across Canada every year. In 2020, 924 construction workers were killed on the job. Besides accidents, a substance called asbestos that is found in many old buildings can cause deadly diseases.

Other trades also have their own dangers. For example, people working in tight spaces can become trapped. In November 2023, forty-one workers in India were rescued after being trapped in a collapsed tunnel for seventeen days. Thirty-three miners in Chile spent sixty-nine days underground when part of the mine collapsed and blocked the entrance to the areas where they were working.

Taking precautions to avoid situations like these is important. No one can prevent all possible accidents, but conducting regular safety checks can help people be prepared. For mining or tunnel construction, propping up weak sections of the surrounding area can help. Having clear guidelines about what to do in an emergency can help workers react quickly to get out of danger when necessary.

Even in less dangerous trades, safety measures are important. Personal protective equipment such as safety goggles can help keep people safe, but it must fit properly to be effective. Since much of that kind of equipment is designed to fit men, women might need to have their own equipment made or find ways to make sure that it protects the way it should.

Other precautions can also help. In a factory or other building, workers should always be sure that the exits are clear and free of clutter. Someone who is trying to get out quickly might not have time to move objects like boxes, books, or even papers aside. Some of these items can also be fire hazards. Extension cords in the wrong places can also trip people as they are trying to escape from danger. Making sure that extension cords are not in anyone’s way can help to make factories and other workplaces safer.

Another danger in many workplaces is being injured by a forklift. These machines have two large metal pieces sticking out the front. A careless forklift driver could run into other people and possibly cause major injuries. Regular training in forklift use can help.

Factories, mines, construction sites, and other places where tradespeople work can be dangerous places. Taking safety measures is very important for avoiding injuries that can happen easily while people are working in construction, mining, and other high-risk trades.

Bibliography

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Mogul, Rhea, et al. “All 41 Workers Rescued from Collapsed Tunnel in India after 17-Day Ordeal.” https://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/world/all-41-workers-rescued-from-collapsed-tunnel-in-india-after-17-day-ordeal-1.6663553?clipId=68597.

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