Some jobs in Utah are more dangerous than others. Sometimes the work itself is precarious, and sometimes it’s the working environment that poses a danger to workers. Every employer in Utah should offer workers compensation to take care of you when you get hurt during any job. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. In a dangerous job, the cost of an accident adds up quickly.
Here are five of the most dangerous jobs in Utah.
Roofing Contractor
Roofing is dangerous as you can slide off a roof while working and injure yourself or even die. While protective gear, such as harnesses, should protect you, they cannot prevent every injury. Beyond the dangers of working high above the ground present, roofers in Utah are also subject to excessive heat during the summer months. These temperatures can lead to dehydration or heat stroke. During monsoon season, which leads to heavy, unexpected rain, roofs become slick and slippery. This causes plenty of falls and injuries.
Taxi Drivers
Taxi drivers are at risk in two different ways. First, robbery and assault are not unheard of for taxi drivers, causing mental and physical injuries. While installing cameras in taxis has had a positive impact on drivers’ safety, danger still lurks. The second reason driving a taxicab can be dangerous is that taxicab drivers are at risk of being involved in an auto accident with all their driving. They are often in some of the most congested traffic, which puts them in constant contact with distracted drivers and other factors that lead to accidents.
Truck Drivers
Driving on the road is dangerous. Utah has many tourists who go up the valley in sometimes harsh winter weather. This is one of the reasons why Utah has a high traffic accident percentage compared to other areas. Truck drivers who make deliveries or drive in and out of the city are at risk for injuries or death due to other drivers’ actions, including those tourists who may not be familiar with our roadways. This can lead to devastating truck accidents that impact everyone involved.
Security Guards
Security guard positions are everywhere in Utah. Unfortunately, security guards often face troublesome individuals. They deal with people who are drunk or need to contain individuals breaking laws until the police arrive. Security guards can sustain several injuries, including slip and falls while chasing suspects or injuries sustained when suspects fight back.
Road Construction Workers
You already know that Utah roadways are hazardous. People are not always paying attention to their surroundings, and they may be in a hurry to get where they are going. Road construction workers put their lives at risk every day as they repair potholes, repave roads, and build new roadways or road structures. Road construction workers work in oppressively hot temperatures during the summer months, which causes heat-related injuries like heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
If you work in one of these fields, you face the risk of falling victim to an on-the-job injury more than in other areas of work. Worker’s compensation helps cover your medical expenses and lost wages when you get hurt. Unfortunately, insurance companies often wrongfully deny coverage for a claim or fail to provide all the benefits you are entitled to. If you suffered injuries while working a dangerous job, you need an attorney who understands the dangers of working in Utah. They can help you to obtain the benefits that you need.
