Deadly Investments: The Human Cost

The tobacco and coal industries are responsible for killing more people annually than they employ. According to a study by Joshua Pearce of Michigan Technological University, these industries have a net negative impact on society and warrant corporate death sentences. The study found that the number of premature deaths caused by poor air quality from coal combustion is just over 52,000 a year, while the tobacco industry is responsible for over half a million deaths each year from both direct and passive smoking. These industries pose unacceptable risks to society, and the economic benefits do not outweigh the risks to human lives.

Tobacco industry

Tobacco is the world's leading cause of preventable death, killing more than 8 million people each year. This includes around 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke. The annual death toll from tobacco is expected to rise to 1 billion in the 21st century if current trends continue.

Tobacco use kills up to half of its users, with smokers losing up to 15 years of their lives on average. It is a major cause of cancer, vascular and respiratory diseases, and tuberculosis, causing more than two-thirds of the 47 million deaths among adults over the age of 25 worldwide in 2012.

In the United States alone, tobacco kills more than 480,000 people annually, imposing enormous costs on families, businesses, and the government. The economic damage caused by smoking is estimated at around 1.4 trillion USD per year, with smoking-attributable health expenditures representing 5.7% of total health spending globally.

The burden of tobacco use falls disproportionately on low- and middle-income countries, where around 80% of the world's 1.3 billion tobacco users reside. Aggressive taxation, comprehensive advertising bans, and public smoking restrictions have proven effective in reducing tobacco consumption in these countries.

Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of premature death. Individuals who quit smoking by age 40 can lower their excess risk of death by up to 90%. Counselling and medication can more than double a tobacco user's chances of successful quitting.

Coal industry

The coal industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the world, with a long history of worker fatalities. While coal mining has become safer in recent years, the human cost of the coal industry extends far beyond those working in the mines.

Coal mining has been a dangerous occupation since its inception in the early 19th century. In the United States alone, thousands of coal miners died in accidents each year throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. While safety measures and technology have improved in recent decades, coal mining still claims lives. According to the US Department of Labor, 66 coal miners died in the US between 2019 and 2023.

However, the human toll of the coal industry extends far beyond those directly employed in coal mines. As a fossil fuel, coal contributes to air pollution and poor air quality, which has significant health impacts. Estimates suggest that coal-fired electricity generation is responsible for over 52,000 premature deaths in the US annually due to air pollution. This means that for every job provided by the coal mining industry, a life is lost due to the health consequences of burning coal.

The impact of coal on public health is not limited to the United States. Globally, coal-fired power plants contribute to air pollution, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. The burning of coal releases harmful pollutants, including particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which have been linked to increased rates of asthma, heart disease, and lung cancer.

The human cost of the coal industry is not limited to physical health. Coal mining and the use of coal-fired power have been associated with negative mental health impacts on nearby communities. Studies have found that individuals living in close proximity to coal mines or power plants experience higher rates of stress, anxiety, and depression. The constant exposure to noise, dust, and the potential risk of accidents can take a toll on the mental wellbeing of those living in coal-dependent areas.

In conclusion, the coal industry's impact extends far beyond the direct employment it provides. For every job created by the coal industry, there is a human cost, whether it is the loss of life due to accidents or the health consequences of air pollution. As the world transitions towards cleaner energy sources, it is essential to recognize the true cost of coal and prioritize the health and wellbeing of communities over short-term economic gains.

Construction industry

Construction is one of the deadliest industries in the United States, with 986 construction workers dying on the job in 2021, and 1,069 in 2022. This figure is higher than in any other industry sector. The fatality rate for construction workers was 9.4 per 100,000 full-time workers in 2021, and 9.6 per 100,000 in 2022. The "Fatal Four"—falls, struck-bys, caught-in/betweens, and electrocutions—are responsible for the majority of worker deaths. Other causes include transportation incidents, exposure to harmful substances, and contact with objects or equipment.

The high death toll in the construction industry is not limited to the United States. In the UK, construction work has become the deadliest profession, with more than 1,400 construction workers taking their own lives between 2011 and 2015. The rate of suicide among construction workers is more than three times the national average for men.

The construction industry is overwhelmingly male, and men are much more likely to take their own lives than women. Workers in this industry often spend long periods away from home, friends, and family, and the work culture is unforgiving. High-pressure environments, loneliness, alcohol consumption, and job insecurity all contribute to the mental health crisis in the construction industry.

While the physical dangers of construction work are well-known, the industry is also grappling with a mental health crisis, with high rates of anxiety, stress, and depression among workers. This crisis has prompted calls for reform and a worker-centered approach to improve safety and reduce fatalities.

Transportation and warehousing

The industry faces several challenges, including labour shortages, rising labour costs, and difficulties in hiring and retaining workers. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these issues, with the trucking industry facing a decline in the number of drivers due to factors such as generational demographics, age limits, time away from home, and drug tests. The pandemic also led to the closure of truck-driving schools, further reducing the labour supply.

The labour mismatch in the transportation and warehousing industry has resulted in wage increases, with transport and warehousing labour costs rising four times faster than before the pandemic. Despite this, logistics operations continue to struggle with hiring and retaining frontline workers, leading to increased absenteeism and knock-on effects across the supply chain.

The physical nature of the job, lack of work-life balance, and scheduling issues are key drivers of attrition in the industry. Additionally, the industry has a higher incidence of injuries and illnesses compared to the average for all industries.

To address the labour shortage, companies may need to implement comprehensive and coordinated actions, such as ensuring the viability of the supplier base, reimagining the jobs of drivers and warehouse workers, creating attractive employee value propositions, and exploring new sources of labour supply.

Manufacturing

In 2020, the manufacturing industry in the United States recorded 341 fatal occupational injuries, a slight increase from the 336 fatalities reported in 2019. These numbers highlight the inherent risks present in the industry. While the manufacturing sector provides employment opportunities for millions of people, the potential dangers should not be overlooked.

Non-fatal injuries and illnesses are also prevalent in the manufacturing industry. In 2020, there were 373,300 total recordable cases of non-fatal injuries and illnesses in the private manufacturing industry in the US. Of these, 135,900 cases resulted in days away from work, indicating the severity of these incidents.

Motor vehicle manufacturing, a specific sector within manufacturing, has an even higher rate of non-fatal injuries and illnesses compared to the private industry as a whole. In 2018, workers in motor vehicle manufacturing suffered 6.3 non-fatal injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers, more than double the rate of all private industries. Musculoskeletal disorders from overexertion and bodily reaction accounted for a significant proportion of these cases, with workers experiencing more than three times the rate compared to all private industries.

Workplace safety should be a top priority for any industry, and manufacturing is no exception. While the economic benefits of the manufacturing industry are undeniable, the human cost of injuries and fatalities cannot be ignored. It is crucial for employers to implement strict safety guidelines, provide proper training, and prioritize the well-being of their workers to mitigate these risks and reduce the number of injuries and fatalities in the industry.

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