Construction sites pose many hazards and it is easy for accidents to occur. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) names four of the most common types of construction accidents that result in death.
These are falls, electrocution, being struck by an object and being caught-in or in-between objects. It states that these accidents are responsible for the lives of 468 construction workers each year.
Falls from a height
Hazardous scaffolding equipment, faulty equipment, unsafe ladders and lack of fall prevention safety equipment are some of the reasons workers fall from a height. As the number of construction workers dying from falls increased, the federal government had to step in and issue more regulations to ensure their safety.
Despite the safety measures, falls continue to take place on construction sites and they can lead to serious and even life-threatening injuries. Chronic back pain and traumatic head injuries are just two types of injuries that require ongoing medical attention.
Lamber Goodnow, construction accident attorneys in Phoenix, offer a free, no-obligation case evaluation to those who have suffered injuries as the result of a fall.
Electrocution
As construction sites are works in progress, workers are often exposed to power lines, exposed wiring and unfinished electrical projects. Coming into contact with these could lead to electrocution. Explosions, electrical burns, and fires can occur as a result of poor ground-fault protection.
There is a general lack of basic electrical safety knowledge amongst non-electrical workers and this can result in some serious injuries. For example, workers are often unaware of the minimum clearance distance from power lines, resulting in unnecessary deaths.
The severity of an electrical injury depends on various factors, such as the amount of current, the length of exposure and the passage through the body. It can result in shocks, burns and death.
Falling debris, material or objects
Projects often have multiple levels and debris, material or objects can fall from a higher level and strike workers in a lower level without warning. The risk of falling objects is high on construction sites and this is why wearing hard hats is required.
Despite wearing hard hats, it is still possible for injuries to occur. Struck by hazards claims include where a worker is struck by a flying object, a falling object, a swinging object, or a rolling object. Many fatalities from being struck by an object involve being struck by motor vehicles such as cranes or trucks.
Getting caught in or in between objects
Construction sites are full of equipment, machinery, materials and tools. Injuries can result from a worker being caught, squeezed, crushed, compressed or pinched between two or more objects, or between parts of an object.
It is possible for a single limb or even a whole body to be pulled into operating equipment. Being crushed between two immovable objects or strangled as a result of clothing being caught in machinery are other possibilities.
What to do if you’ve been hurt in a construction accident
The above four types of accidents often result in serious injuries and even fatalities. It is important to seek medical help and notify your supervisor that an accident has occurred.
Any incident that causes injury on a construction site must be documented, regardless of how or why it happened. The written report can be helpful if any disputes arise at a later stage.
If you have been hurt or a loved one has been killed, it is important to get help from an experienced construction accident attorney as soon as possible. This will enable you to take the steps you need to take to protect your rights and get the full and fair recovery you deserve.