Common Construction Accidents and How to Prevent Them

More workplace accidents occur due to construction than any other industry in the United States. A lot of these accidents are caused by recklessness. After an accident, you’ll want to talk to a construction accident lawyer, but trying to avoid accidents will help the most. It’s vital to know what kinds of hazards your workplace poses and how to avoid getting hurt.

In the United States, around 20 percent of all work-related deaths are attributed to the construction industry. Given the severe figures presented, every major participant in the building business has to be made aware of the dangers that exist and the options for lessening those risks. Employees must learn about their rights to compensation for injuries to avoid injuries in the first place.

Construction has a history of being dangerous. Workers and employers alike should be alert to possible dangers.  After you’ve been hurt on the job, speak with an attorney who specializes in workplace injury claims. To learn about workplace dangers, it is essential first to understand risks like injuries and illness.

Injuries And Accidents Connected to Different Types Of Construction Work:

Other injuries and diseases that often occur as a result of construction incidents include:

• Damage to the shoulders, knees, and joints
• Shattered bones and fractures
• Wounds and other damage
• Finger, toe, arms, and leg amputations
• Injury to the eyes
• Burns including chemical burns, electric burns, fire, or explosions
• Hearing loss because of consistently loud noises or abrupt noise
• Traumatic brain injuries, which include concussions
• Death

Common Construction Site Accidents and How to Prevent Them:

If construction procedures aren’t followed, it becomes a hazardous line of work. Nearly 20% of private-sector worker deaths in the US come from the construction industry.  Construction site accidents may occur because of a range of reasons, some of which are listed below, along with some ways to avoid them:

A Descent From The Heights:

When building something, most tasks require heights like roofing, ladders, and scaffolding. A lot of construction injuries happen when workers fall, and this can result in significant damage. It is the responsibility of managers and owners to provide trained employees to install climbing equipment like ladders and scaffolds safely. They must be examined before each day to confirm that they fulfill safety regulations and are fully functional.

• Mishaps, Slips, and Trips:

One frequently sees a building site with supplies, tools, and garbage strewn about. Workers have the potential to trip and injure themselves on the barriers, causing lost time at work. To avoid falls at the building site, it is critical to ensure that the workspace is kept free of clutter. In addition, management should ensure that the building stays dry so that any people using it can’t slide or trip.

• Electrocution:

There will always remain a project’s leftovers—exposed cables, broken power lines, or malfunctioning machinery—until the project is done. That defective equipment and power cables might lead to electrocution. Electrocution may lead to deadly injuries, and unfortunately, these injuries are prevalent.

To reduce the chances of an electrocution accident, site supervisors should ensure that any exposed wires or locations with high voltage are adequately identified and fenced off. In addition, to reduce the risk of electric shock, all tools must be kept clean and operational.

• Debris Falling:

At a construction site, employees are at risk of getting hurt by materials, equipment, and other objects that fall from great heights. In some cases, falls can cause severe injuries, depending on the size of the falling thing.

Workers are often vulnerable to falling objects and risk getting injured or even killed. Installation of safety nets that capture or slow down falling objects is one approach to reduce these dangers. Also, companies must make sure they equip employees with protective headgear and footwear to defend against anything falling on them.

• Overexertion:

Construction is physically rigorous and exhausting, and construction workers are vulnerable to overexertion injuries. Because the job requires moving important things or doing monotonous activities, it is essential.

Workers should have the proper equipment, so they don’t injure themselves by working too hard. They might get a back brace to help them with heavy lifting or use ergonomically designed equipment to do tedious jobs. And, when doing repetitive activities, employees must have regular pauses.

• Faulty Equipment:

Accidents caused by faulty machinery may be pretty dangerous in construction. Avoiding faults by employing regular maintenance is an effective method of staying safe. Ensure equipment has been maintained before usage by checking the maintenance journal. Keeping everything in good shape keeps everything up to code, extends the usable life of tools, and generally carries everything in good functioning order.

A brief examination and a walk-around are things to perform before beginning to use machinery. Any flaws or risks will show up here. Fault finding on defective equipment accident cases may be time-consuming. It’s essential to have the proper training to spot problems and conduct inspections before using the equipment.

• Toxic Chemical Contact:

Corporations (both private and public) are liable for ensuring their employees are trained in occupational health and safety. Employees must take hazard communication and material safety data sheet training for their jobs that might put them in danger of coming into contact with hazardous substances.

Chemicals should be well labeled and easy to access, as well as available in the workplace. For chemicals like an eyewash station, mandatory safety equipment is necessary. Legal protection is provided through legal counsel and OSHA regulations after chemical exposure.

How Can a Construction Accident Lawyer Help?

Workers injured on the job must often submit a workers’ compensation claim. The system offers medical care and financial support to workers while they heal at home from their accident.

Workers may sometimes have to file a lawsuit to be compensated for injuries, but an injured worker can rely on their employer for compensation in some conditions. For instance, you may have a limited ability to get payment and reimbursement for your injury, or your claim may be rejected altogether. If that occurs, you may have to get your claim appealed.

When you’re injured, you might incur tremendous costs, such as time away from work, medical expenses, and other headaches. You should consult with a lawyer or a law firm before doing anything else, including trying to settle by yourself. This one action can benefit you much in your recovery and provide you a greater chance of getting compensation by putting you on an equal footing with the party at fault.

Have you suffered a construction-related injury? Do you know what legal help you can get? Contact the construction accident attorneys at Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C. for a free consultation.