Construction sites are can be a dangerous place. The nature of the work exposes construction workers to hazards in every direction. Whether the hazards arise out of the tools that construction workers use, the location of the work, the tasks performed, or the proximity between construction workers, a potential injury is looming over construction workers at all times. Just because construction sites are riddled with hazards however, does not mean that construction workers don’t have the right to be protected. They do. Nor does the nature of the work mean that when a construction worker is injured, the bill falls on the construction worker. It does not. Construction sites are dangerous places, but construction workers have the same rights as any other workers. As such, it is important to have the necessary knowledge to seek adequate compensation in the event of an injury while on the job.
If you are injured on a construction site, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. As a construction worker, you are entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. Contact KTL for a consultation.
What are The Fatal Four Construction Site Hazards?
“The Fatal Four” construction site hazards are the top four fatal hazards on a construction site, as identified by The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There are a multitude of hazards on a construction site, but they do not compare to the rate of death to “The Fatal Four.” In 2018, “The Fatal Four” amounted to 58.6% of all construction worker deaths on a construction site1.
The following are Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Fatal Four.”
1. Falling from Dangerous Heights
Construction work often requires that construction workers work at great heights, or around trenches. In consequence, it is common for construction workers to fall off buildings, scaffoldings, and machinery; and equally common for construction workers to fall into trenches. As a result, construction workers can suffer from an array of injuries including broken bones, an injured spine, or even death. In 2018, falling accounted for 33.5% of all deaths on a construction site. The most common construction site OSHA safety violation is failing to employ adequate fall protections.
2. Being Struck by an Object
In a construction site, things are moving at all times. Multiple tasks are being completed at once, and a collision is inevitable. As a result, it is common for construction workers to be struck by objects ranging from falling debris, tools, heavy machinery, and vehicles. In 2018, being struck by an object accounted for 11.1% of all deaths on a construction site.
3. Electrocution Hazard
Construction workers are constantly exposed to electrical hazards. The three major types of electrocution hazards on a construction site arise from power lines, live sources, and cords. An electrical hazard can result in a burn, shock, arc flash/blast, fire, explosion, or a fatal electrocution. In 2018, electrocution accounted for 8.5% of all the deaths on a construction site.
4. Caught-in between
A caught in between hazard is an injury that arises a result of a construction worker being crushed between objects. A construction site has so many moving parts; unfortunately the scenarios for a construction worker to be crushed are endless. Some ways a construction worker can suffer from a caught in-between hazard however, are by getting crushed by a trench cave-in, collapsed building or scaffolding; being pulled into machinery, or being crushed between vehicles. In 2018, caught-in between hazards accounted for 5.5% of all the deaths on a construction site.
Other Construction Site Hazards?
As mentioned above, there are a multitude of hazards on a construction site. And quite frankly, it would take too long to describe all of them. The following are examples of other hazards present in a construction site:
· Failure to use Proper Safety Gear · Repetitive Motion Injuries · Wet or slippery Surfaces
· Confined Spaces · Toxic Substances · Loud Noises
Construction Site Accidents and Personal Injury Claims
Typically, injuries at a construction site are covered by workers’ compensation. However, it may be possible to bring a civil lawsuit as well. In a personal injury case on a construction site setting, the injured construction worker must prove that a third party’s negligence caused the injury—the third party cannot be the construction worker’s employer. The differences between workers’ compensation and a civil lawsuit are covered in a separate article.
KTL has extensive experience in construction liability cases. Our team is ready to assist you and help you receive the compensation you deserve.