Common Workplace Hazards in Pennsylvania Steel Mills

Pennsylvania has one of the largest and most established steel industries in the United States, falling behind only Indiana and Ohio. There are several prominent steel mills in the state, and the industry is particularly active in the Pittsburgh area. Those who work in our state’s steel mills are a crucial part of Pennsylvania’s thriving economy, but they do so at great risk to themselves. Steel work is inherently dangerous, putting workers in harm’s way every single day.

If you work in the steel industry, you must know your rights as an employee and be prepared to assert them should you be injured. We’re committed to helping the workers of Pennsylvania get the compensation they deserve after a workplace injury—call Carmody and Ging, Injury & Accident Lawyers to set up a consultation now.

Most common dangers in steel mills

Knowing the most significant dangers you face at a steel mill can help you be better prepared for the risks lurking around every corner. With this information, you can take appropriate precautions and ensure that your workplace’s safety protocols adequately protect you.

Heavy machinery accidents

Heavy machinery drastically increases your risk of crushing and striking injuries. These accidents have a variety of root causes. Inadequate staff training can lead to staff misusing heavy machinery or failing to use proper safety protocols, while insufficient maintenance can cause machinery to fail at a critical moment and crush nearby workers. Improper machine guarding is another significant risk in this area.

Slips, trips, and falls

Steel mill work often involves working at tall heights, including platforms, cranes, and scaffolds. Even if these structures are properly maintained and secured, workers can slip and fall when sharing the space with other employees or simply because they lose their balance. These types of accidents can lead to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and soft tissue damage.

Heat exposure

Heat is an unavoidable part of working in the steel industry, with workers often being exposed to molten metal, welding equipment, and furnaces. As a result, burns are unfortunately somewhat common in this industry. They often leave victims with permanent scarring, skin tightness, and discomfort. Heat-related illnesses are another potential outcome of working in this field. Examples include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and cramps. While heat sickness can strike anyone, those who have not acclimated to the demands of this work are at heightened risk.

Chemical exposure

Those working in steel manufacturing come into frequent contact with acids, solvents, cleaning agents, and other potentially hazardous chemicals. Employers must provide adequate training about the safe handling and storage of these chemicals. However, even with proper training, accidents and errors happen. Accidental spills can lead to direct contact and the potential for skin irritation and chemical burns. Some extremely dangerous chemicals can even leave employees with long-term illnesses or diseases. In addition to proper training, employers must ensure that all employees in the presence of these chemicals use proper personal protective equipment.

Repetitive motion injuries

The nature of steel work is fairly repetitive for many workers, who may find themselves doing the same tasks every day, lifting heavy loads throughout the course of their work day, or constantly working in confined spaces. All of these situations end the same: with repetitive motion or stress injuries that can cause muscle strains and sprains. Using proper lifting techniques, encouraging the use of ergonomic equipment and postures, and allowing for frequent breaks can all reduce the risk of repetitive motion injuries.

Respiratory dangers

The air in a steel mill is thick with dust, aerosols, gases, and fumes. Even with proper masks and respiratory equipment, the risk of molecules seeping in is always there. In the short term, these dangers can lead to lung irritation, difficulty breathing, and coughing. Long-term, these hazards can leave steel workers with lung cancer, chronic asthma, and permanent breathing difficulties.

Employer obligations

Employers in all industries have obligations and responsibilities to their workers—but these responsibilities are especially important when you’re talking about companies in dangerous industries. In these fields, a careless employer’s decisions can leave an employee severely injured, with missing limbs, or even dead.

First, employers must provide steel mill workers with adequate training. This includes facility-specific training for those who are experienced in the industry. This training should emphasize the dangers that workers face every day and the importance of adhering to safety protocols and standards. Training should be ongoing, allowing supervisors and managers to touch base on important topics when needed. There should also be swift repercussions for those who willingly ignore their training and put other employees in danger.

Employers must also require the use of evidence-based safety protocols and safety equipment to minimize the likelihood of injuries. This is where many employers fall short; doing things this way often takes more time, which cuts into productivity and profits. However, employers are obligated to put workers’ safety first.

Finally, employers must ensure that workers have access to equipment that is appropriate for the work they do, well-maintained, and regularly inspected. Even if that means taking equipment out of rotation until it can be properly fixed and slowing down the facility’s work, employers cannot knowingly put workers in unsafe positions.

Protecting yourself with a workers’ compensation claim

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Labor and Industry oversees the workers’ compensation program. If you are injured at work, you are entitled to certain benefits—regardless of who (if anyone) is at fault. You are entitled to medical care paid for by your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance, as well as up to two-thirds of your average wages.

While the process of filing a workers’ comp claim should be easy, some employers make it hard for employees to access the benefits they are legally guaranteed. When this happens, it’s important to reach out to a workers’ compensation lawyer about your legal rights and next steps.

We’re here to help—contact us today

The team at Carmody and Ging, Injury & Accident Attorneys can help you fight for fair compensation after a steel mill injury. Call our team of workers’ compensation lawyers or send us a message online to discuss your options.