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Data compiled by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2017 captured how private hospital work is particularly dangerous. BLS researchers determined that six out of over 100 full-time workers in this industry are hurt on the job. This injury rate can be likened to other more traditionally dangerous job roles. The nonfatal illnesses or injuries that occur in these types of facilities are varied.

Overexertion and bodily reaction injuries accounted for at least 45.1% of all nonfatal worker injuries that occurred at private hospitals in 2015. Slips, trips and falls were found to be to blame for at least 24.8% of workers who were hurt in these same types of facilities that same year.

Unintended contact with equipment or objects caused 13.7% of private hospital workers’ nonfatal injuries in 2015. Person-to-person violence or animal aggression was responsible for at least 11% of private hospital worker injuries that year.

Exposure to harmful substances resulted in 4.2% of the hospital worker injuries that occurred in 2015. The remaining 1.1% of these employees were injured in on-the-job transportation accidents.

Those same statistics show that ground surfaces such as parking lots, walkways and floors were where at least 19.2% of these worker injuries took place. Another 6.8% and 6.4% of these injuring incidents could be attributed to furniture fixtures or containers. Vehicles and machinery caused 3.9% and 2.4% of private hospital worker injuries in 2015. The remaining causes of these incidents were listed as chemicals, handtools, materials or parts and ladders.

Very few workplaces in Pittsburgh are hazard-free. While your employer may think that they do a good job of keeping their premises safe, there’s likely something more that they can do. A workers’ compensation attorney can answer your questions about your rights here in Pennsylvania then can get to fighting for you.