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Recent report indicates workplace deaths still an issue

Overall, there is no question that today, workplaces throughout the nation, including the Pittsburgh area, are safer than they were for our ancestors, 100 or even 50 years ago. The improvements are due to many factors including the establishment of safety standards designed to keep workers from harm. Despite these efforts, including the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, work-related deaths occur all too often.

According to a study recently released by the AFL-CIO, throughout the United States, an average of 150 workers die each day either while doing something related to their job or as a result of an illness tied to a job. Work-related illness is actually the biggest culprit, claiming the lives of 137 individuals each day. In creating the report the AFL-CIO relied upon information from two governmental agencies, OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

While the state of Pennsylvania registered at the bottom of the list when it came to the number of workers who died due to workplace factors, residents would still likely agree that no worker should have to do his or job in an unsafe environment. Accordingly, there is much work to be done. The AFL-CIO believes strengthening OSHA via legislation is one way to accomplish this.

Of course for families that have lost members to work-related accidents or illnesses, passing such legislation will do little to change their reality. Today, due to a variety of factors, families rely upon regular paychecks to make ends meet. When the death of a paycheck earner occurs, it can leave them reeling not only emotionally, but financially as well. Some find that filing a civil wrongful death lawsuit against the individuals or entities responsible for the death make it easier to forge ahead.

Source: msnbc, "US work-related deaths top 150 a day, finds AFL-CIO report," Ned Resnikoff, May 8, 2013

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