It is well known that construction workers are amongst the highest risk for worksite injuries. The ever-changing conditions of working outside on an active build site, combined with the power equipment and activity density, can present numerous challenges for workers to stay safe. Of all the industries reported in the private sector in 2018, approximately 21.1% were in the construction industry.
Understanding the most prevalent risk factors
Excluding vehicle collisions, the most prominent cause of death on construction sites was due to the following four accidents:
Falls: About one-third of construction fatalities occur from falls. The potential for unfinished flooring, open multilevel sites, and precarious workspaces present a considerable hazard for workers.
Object impact: There’s a reason construction workers are required to wear hardhats. Even a small object dropped or dislodged from height can cause substantial brain injury and death. Work conducted around cranes presents an even more significant challenge depending on the work being accomplished and the environmental conditions.
Electrocution: Most of the machinery and power tools on the job site require a power source. Open areas can cause water hazards during rainy conditions that may increase electrocution risks. Combining all the moving parts of a construction operation and thr high voltage power sources mean that workers could become catastrophically injured from unseen conditions.
Caught-in/between: This kind of injury involves crushing, compression, caught-in or struck by equipment or heavy objects. A worker may become trapped or crushed through a variety of activities.
Maintaining worker safety
Occupational safety and health administration guidelines establish best practices for construction site safety. These guidelines could include everything from fall protection to hazard communication standards, scaffolding maintenance, respiratory protections, machinery operating standards and eye protection. If you were injured at the building site, it’s essential to determine the circumstances leading to that injury. Workers’ compensation is an indispensable tool for receiving the payment you need during the recovery from your injuries.
