Construction is a physically and mentally demanding line of work. Workers spend long hours in harsh environments, handling heavy machinery and working on top of buildings.
Fortunately, accidents on construction sites can be prevented by taking safety precautions and implementing risk mitigation protocols. These can help prevent falls, electrocutions, burns and other serious injuries and fatalities.
Falling Objects
Falling objects are one of the most common accident hazards in construction. They are among the top four most deadly construction accidents, according to OSHA, and tens of thousands of people are injured each year due to falls.
When a tool, piece of equipment, or even a piece of scaffolding falls from height and hits a person, it can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head injuries, and crushing injuries. Sometimes, these injuries can lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can change a person’s life forever.
To prevent falling object accidents, employers must educate their workers on the risks of dropped objects and how to prevent them from occurring. They also need to use safety equipment that will divert or catch objects and limit their striking forces.
Electrocutions
There are several different types of accident hazards that occur on construction sites. These include falling objects, burns, slips and falls and electrocutions.
Electrocutions are among the most serious of these accidents and have accounted for 8.6% of all fatalities in 2019.
Electrical injuries can be avoided by following OSHA safety protocols. These include proper de-energize and protect procedures, maintaining minimum clearance distances from energized sources, and the use of electrical protective devices.
Injuries from electrocution can range from burns to severe nerve damage and even death. This hazard should never be ignored. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury from electrocution, contact a qualified attorney right away. Depending on the circumstances, you may qualify for compensation for your losses. An experienced construction accident attorney can help you evaluate your case.
Burns
While many construction accidents result in minor injuries that need short-term medical attention, some can have life-changing consequences. These types of accidents include explosions and burns.
Burns occur when the top layer of skin – the epidermis – is severely burned and damaged. This layer contains nerve endings that communicate pain and touch signals to the other layers of the skin.
Chemical burns are more severe than thermal or electricity-related burns, and they can happen when you come in contact with very acidic or caustic materials. Examples of these substances are industrial cleaners, gasoline, paint thinner, epoxy resin and metalworking fluids, as well as products made with lye and lime, an extremely basic alkali.
These burns can be very painful, cause damage to the airway passage linings or other bodily tissue and need emergency treatment. If you or someone you know has been injured due to a burn accident on a construction site, it is important to get medical care and file a workers’ compensation claim immediately.
Slips & Falls
Slips, trips and falls are some of the most common accident hazards on construction sites. This is because of the large amounts of material that must be moved and manipulated to construct buildings.
These accidents are often dangerous because they can lead to serious injuries and disabling conditions. They can also cause fatalities.
Workers who are injured in these types of accidents may be entitled to workers’ compensation.
Slips and falls on construction sites can be caused by wet surfaces, slippery floors due to spilled liquids or unsecured floor mats, and more. This is why it is essential to clean up these risks and keep a safe working environment.
Caught-In/Between
Construction is a dangerous job that can lead to serious or even fatal accidents. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, falling objects, electrocutions, burns, and slips and falls are all major hazards in construction.
However, the fourth most deadly hazard in construction is caught-in/between accidents. These accidents occur when a worker becomes wedged between a moving or swinging object and a fixed object, or between two or more moving objects.
Caught-in/between accidents are one of the most gruesome types of accidents in construction, and they can be particularly traumatic. Workers who become trapped between machines and equipment or fixed objects can suffer fractures, amputations, or even death.
