The creation of craft beers is a fad that is sweeping the nation. It is likely that there are brewers in the Pittsburgh area participating in this as well. While many people enjoy the fruits of craft brewers' labor, it is doubtful that few recognize the dangers associated with the work.

According to an analysis conducted by Reuters, it is much safer for a worker to be employed at a large brewery than a craft brewery. For example, in a three year period beginning in 2009, two individuals died at large breweries. In comparison, during that same time period, at least four workers died at craft breweries. There may be more that have not been reported. While there are likely multiple reasons for the discrepancy between the two, one of those reasons is likely due to the fact that safety oversight is much stricter at large breweries than at the smaller facilities.

A woman whose husband was employed as a contractor for a brewery in another state is well aware of how dangerous a craft brewery can be. He died a couple months after being severely burned while trying to fix a crack in a tank. After her husband's death, the woman sued the brewery. The case was reportedly settled for an undisclosed amount.

Of course not all workplace accident that occur at craft breweries result in death. On other occasions individuals working at breweries that make no more than 6 million barrels of beer per year, are seriously burned but survive. While burns are apparently one of the more common injuries at these workplaces, it is likely that many others occur regularly as well due to things such as slip-and-falls and objects falling on workers. Virtually any injury occurring at a craft brewery could prompt a workers' compensation claim.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is charged with regulating workplace safety in the United States. Without regular reporting of injuries that occur, it is difficult for that agency to create standards that would keep workers safe. Most would likely agree that like other occupations, individuals working in breweries deserve a safe workplace.

Source: Reuters, "Insight: Fast-growing U.S. craft brewers struggle with worker safety," M.B. Bell, July 12, 2013