Construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Workers are exposed to great heights, heavy equipment, electrical wires and unstable earth. This can lead to severe injuries and even death.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified the four main causes of construction injuries. Here’s what to watch for—and how to prevent future accidents.
- Falls:Whether from the roof of a single-story home or from skyscraper scaffolding, falls are very common on construction sites. Workers may be stationed hundreds of feet in the air as they complete the building process. To prevent falls, use fall arrest equipment and maintain perimeter protection. Cover, secure and label floor opening covers, and always use appropriate ladder and scaffolding safety techniques.
- Struck-by accidents:Always wear reflective safety equipment when on a construction site. Do not position yourself in between moving and fixed objects, including heavy equipment, walls, parked vehicles, moving vehicles and more.
- Caught-in accidents:Typically, trenches five feet or deeper need a protective system in place—don’t go in a trench without verifying the system exists. Shallower trenches may also require safety measures. This includes shoring, sloping, trench shield or benching systems.
- Electrocution:Always locate utilities before starting work, including overhead power lines. Maintain a safe distance from these lines, and use ground-fault circuit interrupters for protection. Only use portable electric tools if they’re double-grounded or insulated.
By taking these—and other on-site recommended precautions—you can avoid the top four most common construction injuries. However, if you are injured on the job, you may have several legal options. Workers’ compensation claims typically cover on-the-job injuries, but you may be eligible to file a third-party lawsuit as well.
Call the seasoned personal injury attorneys at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh in Sarasota, FL to learn how we can help you recover compensation.