Summer brings longer days, warm weather, and, for many Pennsylvanians, the busiest time of the year to work outside. While most people picture sunshine and productivity, we often see something else: a sharp increase in work-related injuries.
At Mooney Law, we represent countless outdoor workers each year who suffer serious injuries during the summer season. These are hardworking people in physically demanding jobs, many of which become significantly more dangerous in the heat, sun, and unpredictable outdoor environments.
Whether digging trenches, climbing scaffolding, or landscaping suburban lawns, the summer months expose workers to many unique risks that can quickly turn a regular day into a trip to the emergency room.
We wrote this blog not to scare you, but to inform you. If you work in one of the following industries—or employ people who do—it’s crucial to understand the risks, responsibilities, and legal protections involved. Our team of Carlisle workers’ compensation lawyers is here to help if you’ve been injured on the job and don’t know where to turn.
Here are the ten outdoor jobs with the highest summer injury rates in Pennsylvania, supported by recent statistics and workplace safety data.
1. Roofing and Framing Contractors
Roofing is consistently one of the most dangerous jobs in America, and the risks only increase during the summer. Roofers face extreme heat, slippery surfaces, and the ever-present danger of falls from significant heights.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that roofers suffer a fatal injury rate of 47 per 100,000 full-time workers, making it one of the highest among all occupations. In Pennsylvania, OSHA frequently investigates roofing accidents during the summer due to heat stroke, falls, and equipment malfunctions.
We’ve represented roofers who suffered traumatic brain injuries, spinal fractures, and long-term disabilities due to inadequate fall protection or unsafe ladders. Under Pennsylvania law, you’re entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault.
As a work injury attorney in Carlisle, PA, we help roofing professionals secure medical coverage, lost wages, and disability benefits when accidents happen.
2. Construction Laborers
Construction sites ramp up significantly in the warmer months, increasing injury exposure. Laborers face hazards from heavy machinery, falling objects, trench collapses, and power tools. According to the BLS, construction laborers experienced over 21,000 nonfatal injuries in 2022. In hot weather, fatigue-related risks like dehydration, heat exhaustion, and poor decision-making skyrocket.
Pennsylvania workers’ compensation laws require employers to report construction-related injuries to the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) within 48 hours of a fatality or within seven days of any nonfatal injury that results in a disability lasting more than a day.
We’ve helped many injured construction workers navigate these complex reporting deadlines and maximize their benefits. You may also have a third-party claim if your job site lacked safety equipment or violated OSHA regulations.
3. Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Landscapers spend their summers operating heavy equipment, trimming trees, lifting large objects, and applying chemicals in scorching heat. The BLS reports more than 12,000 injury cases in this occupation annually, many involving lacerations, heat illnesses, and musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive motion or lifting.
We see a notable uptick in landscaping injury claims during June through August. A Carlisle workers’ comp lawyer from our team recently assisted a local groundskeeper who suffered heat stroke followed by a serious fall while using a weed trimmer on an incline. These cases often involve subtle injuries that become serious over time, like back pain, nerve damage, or exposure to pesticides.
4. Highway Maintenance and Road Crews
Highway and road workers perform critical infrastructure work in one of the most hazardous environments—near speeding vehicles and in direct sun. In 2022, Pennsylvania reported 1,293 work zone crashes, including 14 fatalities, according to PennDOT. Summer heat creates fatigue, reduces alertness, and can lead to deadly missteps around traffic.
If you’re injured on the side of a highway while working for the state or a private contractor, you’re likely covered by Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act. We can help clarify your eligibility, especially if your employer claims you were an “independent contractor” or denies your coverage.
As an injury attorney in Carlisle, we assess whether negligent drivers or vendors may be liable under personal injury law.
5. Agricultural and Farm Workers
Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector depends on outdoor labor for everything from dairy farms to crop harvesting. Unfortunately, it’s also home to some of the most underreported and underprotected injuries. According to the CDC, agriculture ranks among the most dangerous industries, with over 20,000 injuries in youth workers alone each year.
Summer is peak injury season for farm workers, who face heat stroke, entanglement in machinery, toxic chemical exposure, and animal-related injuries. Pennsylvania requires agricultural employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance unless they meet a narrow exemption.
If you were hurt on a farm—especially as a seasonal or undocumented worker—don’t assume you’re out of options. We’ve helped clients from all backgrounds assert their rights and collect benefits.
6. Utility Line Workers and Electricians
Utility and electrical line workers brave the heat to restore power, lay new lines, and fix outages. They often work at height, near energized conductors, and in all weather conditions. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), electrical line workers suffer one of the highest fatal injury rates per capita.
In the summer, the risk of heat-related exhaustion leads to slower reflexes, poor focus, and errors around high-voltage lines. In Pennsylvania, line workers injured while working on public infrastructure are generally covered by employer-funded workers’ compensation plans, but disputes often arise over the scope of employment or classification.
As a Carlisle workers’ compensation lawyer, we’ve handled cases involving electrical burns, falls from bucket trucks, and crush injuries from collapsing poles.
7. Waste Management and Recycling Collectors
Trash collection doesn’t pause for summer heat. Warm weather can make the job even more dangerous—soaked trash cans weigh more, odor exposure intensifies, and slip hazards multiply with leaking fluids. BLS data shows that refuse and recyclable material collectors have a fatal injury rate of 27.9 per 100,000 workers, making it one of the top five most dangerous jobs in America.
Injuries often occur when workers are struck by the collection truck, fall from the rear step, or get caught in compacting equipment. We’ve represented injured waste workers denied compensation after “questionable” employer investigations. If you need help navigating these claims, our Carlisle workers’ comp lawyers will fight for the benefits you’re entitled to.
8. Tree Trimmers and Arborists
Tree workers face a lethal combination of chainsaws, falling limbs, power lines, and unstable heights. The summer growing season creates an urgent need for pruning, dead tree removal, and emergency storm response, all of which involve elevated injury risks.
According to OSHA, tree trimming injuries result in dozens of deaths and thousands of serious injuries each year, many from electrocutions and falls. We’ve worked with injured arborists who weren’t provided the proper fall protection equipment or were improperly trained. As a work injury attorney in Carlisle, PA, we ensure employers are held accountable when they cut corners on safety or fail to carry valid workers’ compensation insurance.
9. Oil and Gas Field Workers
Although much of Pennsylvania’s oil and gas activity occurs year-round, the summer heat significantly elevates the well pad’s risk of explosions, chemical burns, and crush injuries. Workers must often navigate complex rigging systems, handle hazardous materials, and operate in remote rural environments where emergency response may be delayed.
The U.S. Department of Labor has cited numerous energy contractors in the Marcellus Shale region for heat-related violations and safety lapses. These workers often don’t know their full rights, or may be pressured into returning to work too early after an injury. At Mooney Law, we’ve helped injured oil field workers receive wage loss benefits, vocational rehabilitation, and lump-sum settlements when appropriate.
10. Delivery Drivers and Outdoor Couriers
Amazon, FedEx, and UPS deliveries spike in the summer months, and many companies rely on contract drivers to meet demand. These drivers work long hours in sweltering heat, often with minimal breaks or air-conditioned vehicles. Musculoskeletal injuries, slips and falls, and heat exhaustion are all common.
Even delivery drivers classified as “independent contractors” may still qualify for workers’ compensation under certain conditions in Pennsylvania. A key part of our role as injury attorneys in Carlisle is evaluating your employment classification and proving the employer had control over your job duties. We’ve successfully benefitted couriers injured on porches, steps, and slippery walkways while delivering.
Why Summer Work Injuries Are So Common
Heat plays a massive role in summer workplace injuries. According to OSHA, thousands of workers become ill due to heat exposure each year, and dozens die. The risk increases with humidity, exertion, lack of hydration, and inadequate rest breaks.
Pennsylvania doesn’t yet have a specific heat illness prevention standard, but employers must still provide safe working conditions under the federal General Duty Clause.
In addition to heat, many summer injuries stem from:
- Extended daylight hours leading to fatigue
- Increased construction and agricultural activity
- Seasonal hiring of inexperienced or undertrained workers
- Delayed reporting due to job insecurity or fear of termination
We encourage all workers to speak up about unsafe conditions and report injuries immediately. Don’t let an employer pressure you into silence—especially when it could cost your long-term health.
What to Do If You’re Hurt on the Job in Summer
If you’re injured in one of these outdoor jobs, take the following steps as soon as possible:
- Report the injury to your supervisor immediately.
- Seek medical treatment from an approved provider.
- Document the conditions that led to the injury, including heat or environmental hazards.
- Contact a Carlisle workers’ compensation lawyer to protect your rights.
Under Pennsylvania’s Workers’ Compensation Act, you have 120 days from the date of your injury to report it and initiate a claim. However, delaying even a few days can put your benefits at risk. Insurance companies may use any excuse to deny or reduce payments, especially if the injury didn’t occur on camera or wasn’t witnessed.
At Mooney Law, we know how the system works and how to fight back.
How We Help Injured Workers in Carlisle and Beyond
We’ve represented hundreds of injured workers across south-central Pennsylvania. Whether your claim is straightforward or contested, we handle every step of the process, including:
- Filing your initial workers’ compensation claim
- Appealing denials and attending hearings
- Negotiating settlements with insurers
- Connecting you with trusted doctors and specialists
- Pursuing additional third-party or liability claims when applicable
As a Carlisle workers’ comp lawyer, we don’t just process paperwork—we advocate for real people with real injuries. We understand how a work accident can derail your life, threaten your family’s finances, and leave you wondering what’s next.
If you’re reading this because you—or someone you love—was hurt in an outdoor job, we invite you to contact us. Our consultations are always free, and we don’t get paid unless we recover compensation for you.
Know Your Rights Before the Heat Hits
Outdoor jobs are essential, especially in the summer. They keep our homes repaired, our communities maintained, and our supply chains moving. But when injury strikes, you need to know where to turn. As a trusted work injury attorney in Carlisle, PA, we’ve made it our mission to protect workers’ rights and secure the benefits they deserve—no matter how hot the sun gets or how complex the claim becomes.
If you or someone you know has suffered a summer work injury, don’t wait. Reach out to Mooney Law today and let us help you take the next step toward recovery.
