How Can Construction Workers and Their Employers Work to Reduce Construction Accident Injuries?
Construction accidents continue to be one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities. There are many factors that contribute to the dangers of a construction worksite including heavy machinery, high heights, and insufficiently trained employees. Workers in this industry should understand the dangers they may face and what steps they can take in order to protect themselves against construction accidents.
Studies completed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have identified four leading causes of construction site injuries and fatalities. These causes, which are referred to as the “Fatal Four,” include falls, being struck by objects, electrocution, and caught-in/between.
Methods of Prevention for Construction Injuries
Falls include both falling from heights and slips and trips. Falling from heights is one of the most common causes of construction fatalities. Employers in the construction industry can make an effort to reduce the dangers of construction falls by implementing the following safety recommendations:
- Work areas should always be well lit and properly maintained
- Employees should be wearing appropriate footwear with adequate traction
- Employees should be adequately trained on regulations and safety measures
When construction injuries result from a worker being hit by a falling tool, being hit by a vehicle, or any forcible contact, the injuries are categorized as “struck by object”. Tips construction workers can follow to reduce their exposure to this type of danger include:
- Make sure to wear adequate protective equipment such as hardhats and safety glasses
- Workers should not position themselves between fixed and moving objects
- Make sure to properly secure materials and tools to prevent the tools from falling on workers below
Burns are the most common injury resulting from electrocution on a construction site. Other injuries that may result from getting electrocuted include cardiac arrest and nerve damage. While OSHA provides regulations in regards to electrical hazards, employees who work closely with electrical equipment may want to follow further safety precautions to stay safe, including:
- Using the mandated protective equipment
- Deenergizing the equipment
- Maintaining a safe distance from energized equipment
In instances where a worker is caught, squeezed, crushed, compressed, or pinched between two or more objects, caught-in/between injuries are likely to occur. Construction workers, especially those who work around heavy equipment and machinery should keep these safety precautions in mind while on the job:
- Refrain from positioning oneself between an immovable object and a heavy piece of equipment
- Stay out of any rotating equipment’s swing radius
- When around moving parts, never wear gloves, jewelry, or long sleeve shirts
Contact Our Aurora, IL Construction Accident Attorney
Determining what category a construction injury falls under may not be very difficult, however, it may be difficult for victims to identify who is responsible for their injuries and how to recover damages. While a workers’ compensation claim may be an available option, it is also possible that a victim is eligible for a personal injury claim. Workers who have suffered injuries on their job site should not have to face these claims alone. At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Masur P.C., there are Kane County personal injury attorneys who can assist in any stage of workers’ compensation or personal injury claim. For a free consultation, call 630-907-0909 today.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/fatalworkinjuries_illinois.htm
https://www.concentra.com/resource-center/articles/the-most-common-construction-injuries-and-how-to-avoid-them/
