By Dr. Tim Sandle
DIGITAL JOURNAL
December 19, 2024
Construction at a factory. — Image by © Tim Sandle.
Which are the safest jobs in construction? A new survey assesses accident rates in the UK and details those construction occupations with the best safety measures.
Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators rank among the safest blue-collar jobs with the highest safety score. Another group standing high are sheet metal workers are reported to have zero nonfatal injuries, ranking second to paving operators, primarily due to more falls, slips, and trips.
The survey comes from Good Guys Injury Law, who analysed workplace safety data across ten major industrial occupations to pinpoint the safest blue-collar jobs. Factors included fatal injuries, transportation accidents, falls, harmful substance exposure, and equipment-related incidents. Each category was normalized and weighted for balanced scoring.
Kenneth L. Christensen, Managing Partner at Good Guys Injury Law tells Digital Journal: “Our recent analysis shows that when it comes to blue-collar jobs, safety isn’t a given—it’s a result of focused effort. The top-ranked roles, like paving equipment operators and sheet metal workers, demonstrate how smart safety protocols can transform even high-risk jobs into some of the safest. This research highlights a crucial takeaway: safety standards make a real difference, and in the right conditions, “blue-collar” work can be as secure as any job out there.”
The survey outcomes are:
Rank Occupation Weighted Score
1 Paving, surfacing, and tamping equipment operators 1.1
2 Sheet metal workers 4.3
3 Machinists 5.8
4 Crane and tower operators 6.2
5 Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators 7.9
6 Brickmasons, block masons, and stonemasons 8.7
7 Industrial machinery mechanics 9.2
8 Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters 9.9
9 Industrial truck and tractor operators 10.7
10 Painters, construction, and maintenance 11.0
From the table, Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators lead the list of the safest blue-collar jobs with an impressive safety record of 1.1. With just six workplace fatalities and zero reportable incidents across all major risk areas, these operators maintain top-tier safety protocols, even in high-exposure conditions.
Close behind are Sheet Metal Workers, securing second place with a weighted score of 4.3. Their safety track record has minimal occupational hazards—only seven fatalities and three fall-related incidents—showcasing a highly controlled work environment.
Machinists maintain strong safety standards and come third with a score of 5.8. The occupation reports zero exposure to harmful substances and transportation-related accidents, setting a benchmark in industrial safety standards.
The fourth place goes to crane and tower operators. Their industry-leading low rate of slips, trips, and falls outperforms both machinists and sheet metal workers, validating the effectiveness of their height safety programs. This helps to keep their position in the top ranks of safe blue-collar jobs.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are in fifth place. The job category has 39 total fatal injuries with zero incidents in transportation, fires, falls, and harmful substance exposure. Operating engineers maintain a strong safety record, with low exposure to most incident types, which balances their safety score and earns them a top-five ranking.
Ranked sixth, Brickmasons, Blockmasons, and Stonemasons have zero incidents of workplace violence and animal-related risks. These masonry experts stand out for their rigorous environmental risk management and control on job sites.
Industrial Machinery Mechanics secure the seventh position, with perfect records in workplace violence, transportation incidents, and fire-related hazards. Regularly handling complex machinery, they maintain tight safety standards, limiting risks effectively.
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters come in eighth, with 32 fatalities and incidents across transportation (8), falls (9), and harmful substance exposure (6). Their safety metrics reflect strong risk management, particularly in fire prevention and equipment handling.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators come ninth with a score of 10.7. These workers drive, maneuver, or control heavy machinery in nearly every weather condition. They report 33 incidents in transportation but still demonstrate resilience in key safety areas and maintained a low exposure rate to harmful substances (3).
Painters, Construction, and Maintenance are the last ones on the list. They showcase remarkable resilience and safety innovation in their specialized field. While ranking tenth in the comprehensive analysis, these craftsmen demonstrate exceptional strength in critical safety categories, particularly in equipment handling and fire prevention protocols.
Read more: https://www.digitaljournal.com/business/3762959/article#ixzz8uwtMrCMQ
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