Pennsylvania construction workers know their job is dangerous, and a new report by the AFL-CIO proves it. The report, which examines safety and health protections for American workers, shows that 4,821 workers across all industries were killed on the job around the country in 2014. The construction industry accounted for the largest number of those deaths, with 899. The construction industry also reported the most deaths of Latino workers, with 233. Deaths of immigrant Latino construction workers have seen a 32 percent increase since 2010.
After the construction industry, transportation and warehousing reported the most worker deaths, with 766. The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries were next, with 584 worker fatalities. Meanwhile, transportation incidents, which include car crashes and motorized land vehicle accidents, claimed the lives of 1,984 people in 2014. Transportation incidents are the top killer of both male and female workers, accounting for 41 percent of all deaths. Trips, slips and falls accounted for 17 percent of all worker deaths in 2014, but accounted for 27 percent of fatalities of workers age 65 and above.
The top state for worker deaths in 2014 was Wyoming, with 13.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. North Dakota was next on the list, with 9.8 fatalities per 100,000. Alaska, South Dakota and Mississippi rounded out the top five.
The surviving family members of people who are killed on the job often face significant financial burdens in addition to their grief, especially when the decedent was a primary breadwinner. Workers’ compensation death benefits can often help to ease these problems, and an attorney can describe the filing procedure as well as the type and duration of the benefits that may be available.
Source: For Construction Pros, “Construction Sector Reported Largest Number of Worker Fatalities in 2014,” April 28, 2016