According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 175 workplace deaths in Pennsylvania in 2014. Some of these injuries were in jobs that many people expect to be dangerous, such as firefighters and police officers. Surprisingly, those two careers did not even make the list of the most dangerous jobs in Pennsylvania.

Most Dangerous Jobs in Pennsylvania

Surprisingly, the three most dangerous careers in Pennsylvania include construction laborers, farmers and those who drive as part of their job. The most dangerous jobs in the state break down as follows:

• Construction – in 2014, there were 40 construction workplace deaths, representing 22 percent of all deaths on the workplace in the state.
• Transportation and warehousing – 36 workers died in on-the-job accidents in the transportation and warehousing industry, representing 21 percent
• Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting – 22 workers died in workplace accidents related to agriculture and similar industries, representing 13 percent of the total workplace deaths in Pennsylvania

National Workplace Deaths

Throughout the country, specific occupations have shown that they are extremely dangerous. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following statistics:

• Loggers – Almost 128 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Pilots and Flight Engineers – Over 53 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Roofers – Almost 41 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Structural iron and steel workers – 37 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Refuse and recyclable material collectors – Over 27 deaths per 100,000 workers
• Electrical power line installers and repairers – 23 deaths per 100,000 workers

Even manufacturing professions had a higher rate of workplace death than firemen and policemen. In 2014, 14 people in Pennsylvania died in workplace incidents related to manufacturing, while only 11 in protective service occupations died in such incidents.

Work Injuries Often Due To Neglect

Many work injuries are caused when a company fails to follow standard safety regulations or neglects to perform required safety inspections. In some cases, employees may not be provided equipment designed to keep them safe or be required to work hours that do not provide them with adequate sleep.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), some of the safety violations they discover that could lead to employee death were failure to provide fall protection, failure to communicate hazards, failure to provide respiratory protection and failure to provide adequate guards for machinery.

At Lundy Law, we are aware of the numerous costs a worker can face in the wake of an on-the-job accident. Sometimes, it can be difficult to obtain the benefits to which you are entitled. If you or a loved one has sustained an injury while on the job, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Lundy Law today by phone or online to learn what rights you may have.