Texas tops the list as the state with the most workplace deaths, again

Updated: Friday, September 12 2014, 08:56 AM MDT

EL PASO, Texas — Dangerous jobs have always existed, but it looks like jobs are starting to get a little safer. The number of people who die on the job has gone down, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Texas has led the nation in workplace fatalities for 10 of the past 14 years, and 2013 was no different.

The report found that there were 493 fatal work injuries in 2013 compared with 536 a year earlier—that’s an 8 percent decline in workplace deaths.

Some people, like Elisabeth Hirth, who work in dangerous jobs, said despite the decline, it doesn’t make her job any less stressful.

“It puts you under lots of pressure, but it also gives you the feeling of lots of responsibility,” said Hirth.

Hirth is a chemist, and she said her line of work can come with a price.

“You can be intoxicated all the time, you’re exposed to toxic stuff,” said HIrth.

Nationally, the report saw a steady drop in fatal work injuries, but deaths among Latinos in the workforce rose 7 percent nationwide.

Last year, transportation accidents accounted for over 200 deaths and there were over 70 deaths caused by falls, slips, and trips. There were also 76 deaths from contact with objects and equipment, 32 deaths from fires and explosions, and exposure to harmful substances led to 31 deaths.

The report found heavy truck and tractor-trailer drivers had the most dangerous job in Texas for 2013.

This information only served to strengthen Hirth’s commitment to her work.

“Sometimes it’s really tough, but generally I would say I wouldn’t like change my major just because of that,” said Hirth.

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