The Dangers of Working at a Construction Site

Since 2008, construction has experienced more total deaths than any other industry. Despite the advancements in technology and security in recent years, the construction industry remains among the most dangerous in the world. This is an alarming situation that should be getting more attention than it currently does. 

Construction workers put their lives at risk every day, dealing with high-risk machinery and working high off the ground. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has set preventive measures to reduce the amount of construction site accidents. 

Whether you’ve been unfortunate enough to suffer from a construction site injury or not, understanding the ins and outs of construction accidents can help you prepare for uncertain circumstances.  

Common Construction Site Accidents

There are nearly 1,069 fatal construction injuries in the United States every year, with thousands more marked non-fatal and unreported. More than 65% of total construction site accidents occur due to the following four reasons:

• Falls: Workers who need to scale up buildings or work while at a tall height are at a greater risk of fall injuries. This can include falling off ladders, off scaffolding, into elevator shafts, or into trenches. Unsafe scaffoldings and unsecure ladders are common reasons. 
• Struck by an object: This kind of injury occurs when an object, such as a piece of machinery, falls from a height and strikes the worker. It can lead to fractures or make the worker slip and fall. 
• Electrocution: A construction worker coming in contact with a live electrical wire can be fatal. Construction workers can face electrocution due to frayed power chords, improperly grounded wires, or faulty switches. 
• Crush: A crush or caught-in-between accident occurs when a worker gets caught in or compressed between objects or materials. Collapsing structures and faulty machinery are the top reasons for crush injuries. 

If you’ve suffered from any of these injuries, get in touch with an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately. Personal injury lawyers specializing in construction site accidents can help you recover economic and noneconomic damages. 

Remember that workers’ compensation regulations and personal injury laws vary from one U.S. state to another. The compensation for construction site injury in California might not be the same for Florida. If you’re living in Walnut Creek, California, work with one of the most competent Walnut Creek construction accident lawyers to get fair compensation. 

Common Safety Violations

OSHA has regulated safety features to keep construction workers safe. However, employers might overlook the importance of such features and put the workers in harm’s way. 

Here are some common safety violations:

• Environment hazards
• Unsafe ladder and scaffolding
• Lack of eye and ear protective gear
• Inadequate machine guarding
• Missing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
• Structural and pest issues
• Lack of protection against respiratory contaminants

The question arises: what can you do if you spot any of these safety violations? Here are some steps you can take:

• Report the violations. You should inform your immediate supervisor or a designated safety officer. If they don’t pay attention to the issues, you can directly report the violations to OSHA. 
• Document the violations. Take pictures and make videos showcasing the negligence and recklessness of the management. 
• Request correction action. Ask your supervisor to take immediate action and provide robust training to avoid such issues in the future. 

By taking construction site safety measures and reporting violations, you can ensure a safe work environment for yourself and your colleagues. 

Injuries Caused by Construction Accidents

Following a construction site accident, a worker can suffer from a range of injuries and illnesses, such as:

• Fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) 
• Loss of hearing
• Exposure to hazardous materials
• Long-term back or joint problems
• Difficulty walking 
• Repetitive motion injuries

Reasons for Construction Site Accidents

Sometimes, an accident at a construction site is just that, an accident. No one caused it, and no one could have prevented it. 

However, an accident is caused by a lack of preventive measures, negligence on the employer’s part, and even carelessness. Let’s analyze some reasons for better clarification:

Inadequate Training

Workers need to have in-depth knowledge of construction equipment for safe and proper handling. Otherwise, they could be at risk of crush injuries and might get struck by a loose or flying object. Many construction companies skip proper training to cut costs and save downtime. This is especially common when a new piece of technology is introduced. 

If workers are not taught to identify signs of faulty equipment or safety hazards, they can be vulnerable to injuries. A company might also ask employees to perform tasks they have no prior knowledge of.

Defective Equipment

Construction companies might use equipment that doesn’t meet standard safety regulations to cut costs. This is negligence on the employer’s part and lays the groundwork for strict legal action. 

Working Too Fast

Construction companies might motivate workers to work fast to meet deadlines or to earn bonuses. While there is no harm in fast-tracking operational tasks, overlooking worker safety is not permissible. 

When construction workers are forced to hurry, it can result in an accident. For example, a worker might overload the forklift to save time, which could tip over the forklift and cause severe damage. Other examples can include forgetting to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) or missing out on signs of saw blade failure. 

The Importance of Workers’ Compensation

If you’ve suffered from a construction site injury, filing a workers’ compensation claim is the only way to hold the guilty party responsible. These lawsuits can be based on a number of claims, such as:

• Personal liability
• Negligence
• Product defects
• Vicarious liability

A construction accident attorney will review all the details of your case and assess its strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you took a fall from a ladder due to an unsafe ladder, and there were witnesses, your claim will become stronger. However, if the other party’s insurance company argues for comparative negligence, the chances of compensation will go down. 

To file a workers’ compensation claim, you need accident photos and every piece of evidence. Your attorney would then recognize the guilty party, which could be the employer, equipment manufacturer, or another worker. Through a construction accident lawyer, you can seek economic damages, such as medical bills and loss of wage, as well as non-economic damages, like loss of enjoyment and emotional distress. 

Remember that suffering from a construction site accident isn’t the end of your professional career. Seek legal help to cope with financial and emotional loss and get back to life.