Skip to content

What are the top 10 safety risks in construction?

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.
The construction industry accident fatality rate is more than double the average for all other industries. With a constantly changing environment, construction sites can be a health and safety danger zone, putting workers at risk for serious and deadly accidents. Accidents happen daily with the most common including these top 10 safety risks:

  • Working at height – The construction industry frequently requires employees to work at height and height-related accidents account for many injuries and/or fatalities every year. The risks of accidents from working at height are increased due to access and mobility restrictions. It is important that personal protective equipment (PPE) and training are utilized for anyone working at height.
  • Moving objects – Construction sites are hectic and constantly changing; overhead lifting equipment, supply vehicles, people coming and going, moving vehicles-some of which are immense, material transportation, all over uneven terrain can make getting struck by a moving object quite common.
  • Slips, trips, and falls – Holes, buildings at various stages of completion, stacked construction materials, scaffolding, ladders, and wet surfaces all pose hazards for slips, trips, and falls.
  • Noise – Repetitive, excessive noise can cause hearing loss and often simple earplugs are not enough to stave off hearing problems. Employers are required to provide appropriate PPE to their employees.
  • Hand/arm vibration syndrome – “Blue finger” as it is sometimes referred to is a painful and debilitating condition that affects the blood vessels, nerves, and joints after prolonged use of vibratory tools.
  • Material and manual handling – Materials are constantly being moved on construction sites, either manually or by the use of lifting equipment. When an employee is tasked with moving objects on the job site, they must be properly trained to do so safely to avoid injuries to themselves or others.
  • Collapse – Every year trenches and excavations collapse, burying, injuring, and killing the people working in them.
  • Asbestos – Many people erroneously believe that asbestos is a thing of the past. While harmless in its undisturbed state, when asbestos is disturbed at a job site it puts workers at serious risk for a multitude of diseases including Mesothelioma and various forms of cancer.
  • Airborne hazards – The nature of construction naturally kicks up a lot of dust and other airborne debris. This often invisible, fine, toxic mixture of hazardous fibers and materials can damage the lungs and lead to long-term diseases such as COPD, silicosis, and asthma.
  • Electricity – Overhead power lines and cables, working with electricity around wet conditions, and employees carrying out electrical work who are not qualified all put construction workers at risk for serious injuries and death. 
If you have been injured in an accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, Mike Agruss Law is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 1,000 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 135 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

Submitted Comments

No Comments submitted yet. Sharing your story will help others!

We are listening

We will respond to you at lightning speed. All of your information will be kept confidential.

Form successfully submitted!