While fireworks may be used throughout the entire year, by far the most common time for such displays to occur in the United States, including the Pittsburgh area, is around the 4th of July Holiday. Accordingly, firework technicians work hard to make sure the display goes off safely. While in most of the cases this goal is achieved, at times injury inducing accidents do occur.

This was the case for a man who was working on a fireworks display in another state. According to authorities, he was hurt when a firework detonated in the launch tube before it was launched into the air. The incident caused the display to be called off.

After the incident the man was attended to by emergency response workers. He apparently hurt the left side of his body and broke a leg. In addition, his face was also injured.

While many enjoy watching fireworks this time of year, their detonation can be dangerous.  Though the man in this case was hurt, the outcome could have been much worse. Under other circumstances he may have lost his life.

While this incident did not occur in the Pittsburgh area, it is easy to see how it could have. In the state of Pennsylvania, most employers must carry a workers’ compensation insurance policy to provide benefits to assist workers who are hurt while performing tasks associates with their job. Though sometimes difficult to obtain, they are usually very helpful to those who find themselves in that situation. It is unclear whether the firework technician is able to, or will seek such benefits.

Source: Star Tribune, "Fireworks employee injured after unexpected explosion on ground in Milwaukee suburb," July 5, 2013