Farming and construction are mainstays for those in the Pennsylvania workforce. The abundance of these types of jobs is responsible for supporting many families in Philadelphia County. However, such industries are not without risk as too many of the state’s workers have discovered.
In 2014, several jobs available in Pennsylvania experienced a high rate of worker fatalities. For every 100,000 workers, here are the numbers of those who died per industry according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics:
— Roofers, 46.2
— Farmers and other agricultural workers, 26.0
— Iron and steel workers, 25.2
— Construction and extraction workers, 17.9
What makes construction so dangerous? Many experts believe it is an overall lack of attention to workplace safety. For example, experienced workers may think it is all right to cut corners because they know what they are doing. In another example, a lack of personal safety equipment may be the cause of many workplace accidents. In Lebanon County, 24 construction companies were accused of seriously violating safety regulations in 2014 and 2016. Some of these violations include lack of fall protection and head protection as well as not providing safe ladders and aerial lifts.
Many people involved in the farming industry are self-employed. This means they may not have enough knowledge about workplace safety and they may not be able to buy costly safety equipment. Some of the dangers the farming industry may hold include overturned heavy equipment, exposure to toxic chemicals and fire danger.
What these two industries seem to have in common when it comes to work-related accidents is a less-than-consistent approach to workplace safety, according to a news report. This is why it is important for Pennsylvania employees to take action when they believe negligence contributed to an injury received while working. A workers’ compensation attorney can help make injured parties whole again.
Source: The Herald, “Farming, construction rank among most dangerous jobs,” Aug. 08, 2016