Thousands of workers are injured or killed in construction site accidents every year across the U.S. Many of these accidents are avoidable and it is important that employers and supervisors maintain a safe and healthy workplace. When they do not, accidents occur.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the fatality rate in construction is higher than the national average in other industries, making construction a high-risk work environment. It is important that employers not only recognize the most common causes of these risks but also that they follow OSHA standards to reduce injury rates on job sites.
OSHA cites the following as the top five (5) health risks in construction:
- Slips, trips, and falls – Lack of fall protection is one of the leading causes of death to construction workers. Uneven terrain, muddy walkways, holes and trenches, elevator shafts, idle equipment and tools, and construction at various stages of completion are common at construction sites. Employers are required to provide fall protection systems for their employees, including guardrails, safety net systems, and personal fall arrest systems.
- Working at height – Workers on construction sites will often be required to work at height at some point in time. Whether it is on scaffolding, in a crane or lift, or on a roof, working at height is extremely dangerous.
- Electrocution – Areas of exposed wiring, power lines, and incomplete electrical systems should be completely marked to prevent electrocution and shock. Workers could be injured either directly by touching electricity or indirectly via a conducting object or material. Only those trained in working with electricity should be permitted to do so as well.
- Falling objects – It is not uncommon for workers to be injured by falling objects or debris on a construction worksite. Employers should provide safety net systems, guardrail systems, and/or personal fall arrest systems to protect workers from falling objects where feasible. In areas where this is not possible, access should be limited to only workers specifically chosen to work there and who have been provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) for their safety.
- Caught in/between – These hazards occur where a worker’s body can be trapped, squeezed, crushed, or compressed between two or more objects, such as equipment, fixed objects, unguarded machinery, cave-ins, collapsing materials, or equipment rollovers.
On any construction site, the risk of injury is high for all workers. This is why it is important that employers and supervisors manage their worksites effectively and follow the standards put in place by OSHA to prevent serious and deadly injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries due to negligence on the job site or a defective product, the lawyers at Mike Agruss Law can review your claim and determine if there were unsafe working conditions, potential OSHA violations, and other hazards that may have existed at the time of your accident. They will also determine who may be liable for your injuries and damages and what compensation you may be entitled to.
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