Injuries at the workplace can range from minor to severe, and the risks can vary depending on the nature of the job.
Workplace injuries can be serious, affecting the victim’s quality of life as well as reducing their ability to earn wages for a period of time, or even permanently in some cases.
Here is a description of five high risk injury jobs in Pennsylvania:
Construction
Numerous potential hazards are present at various construction sites across Pennsylvania. Even after observing all the safety precautions, construction workers continue to be at a high risk of jobsite accidents and serious injuries.
Figures published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that 4 out of 100 construction workers suffer every year from workplace injuries. This high injury rate reflects the high-risk job environment in the construction industry in PA.
Manufacturing
A wide range of job titles and professionals fall under the category of manufacturing, but almost all of them present a number of risk factors contributing to on-the-job injuries.
According to NAM (National Association of Manufacturers), Pennsylvania is home to thousands of manufacturing companies, most of whom require their workers to operate heavy duty machinery and equipment.
Manufacturing job related injuries to workers typically involve contact with sharp tools and objects, slips and falls, repetitive motion, overextension, and exposure to hazardous substances.
Agriculture
Agriculture is an important occupation in Pennsylvania, and the industry does not seem to be slowing down. Agriculture becomes a high-risk job because of the presence of both natural risks (such as inclement weather) and mechanical risks (such as heavy farming equipment).
A 2017 report published by Penn State University showed that over 55% of farming injuries occurred due to off-road industrial automobiles and 18% occurred due to natural forces such as trees, plants and unprocessed vegetation.
Teaching Profession
The education sector may seem to be the most unlikely place for workplace injuries, but unfortunately teachers face this risk on a daily basis. Violent acts committed by students on teachers pose a significant challenge to the safety of the educators in Pennsylvania today.
Forty-five teachers who were a part of the Harrisburg teachers’ union submitted their resignation in 2017 following numerous incidents of violence and the inadequate response of the districts.
Kicking, hitting, and biting were some of the types of violent student behavior teachers reported. This trend appears to be on the rise, and teachers should recognize the risk of workplace injuries in their profession.
Utilities and Other Critical Services
Utility workers in PA are dedicated to ensuring that people receive safe and uninterrupted electricity, but unfortunately, they continue to face high injury risks in their jobs every day. The same risks are also applicable to other critical services such as water, natural gas and sewage workers.
Employers in these industries have a duty to ensure the safety of their workers through implementation of comprehensive workplace safety policies and practices.
Workers should be properly trained; machinery and equipment should be well-maintained, and appropriate PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) should be provided to workers to minimize their injury risks.
