Construction sites are often hazardous work environments, and accidents can happen due to various reasons, including human error, equipment failure, and unsafe working conditions.
Accidents on construction sites can be caused by equipment failure and unsafe working conditions. Heavy machinery and equipment used on construction sites can malfunction, leading to accidents that can cause injuries or fatalities.
Regular maintenance and inspections can minimize the risks associated with equipment failure. Additionally, unsafe working conditions, such as poor lighting, lack of proper safety equipment, and inadequate ventilation can increase the risk of accidents.
Construction companies have the responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their construction workers, which should adhere to industry standards and regulations.
What are the Fatal Four Construction Site Accidents?
Working on a construction site can be incredibly risky, especially when workers are hundreds of feet above the ground.
To prevent accidents, it is the responsibility of construction companies to provide safety equipment like harnesses, scaffolding, and protective gear to ensure workers are protected.
If an accident occurs due to a lack of proper safety measures, injured workers have the right to seek compensation from the construction company and other parties responsible for the accident.
The first four construction site accidents may be labeled as the ‘fatal four’. These are the most construction site accidents and the four leading causes of death in construction.
Falling Accidents on Construction Sites
Falls are a common hazard on construction sites and can happen for many reasons. These include unmarked excavation sites or trenches, unguarded elevator shafts, inclement weather during roof work, debris causing slip or trip and fall injuries, defective ladders, unmarked or unprotected floor holes, wall openings, or ledges, and improperly constructed or guarded scaffolding.
Struck By Accidents Frequently Cause Severe Construction Site Accidents
Struck-by accidents can cause serious injuries or even be fatal for workers who are hit by falling, rolling, swinging, or flying objects. The severity of the injuries depends on the size and speed of the object.
Accidents may result in just minor bruises in some cases, but in other cases, the consequences can be devastating. Heavy equipment or vehicle accidents, broken high-pressure hoses and lines, falling suspended loads, flying nuts and bolts, falling scaffolding, pipes, or lumber, and dropped tools are all examples of struck-by accidents.
To prevent struck-by accidents, construction companies need to take reasonable precautions. If a company fails to take adequate measures to ensure employee safety, they may be held liable for any injuries or losses that occur.
Understanding Caught-in-Between Accidents in the Workplace
Caught-in-between accidents refer to incidents that occur when workers are stuck, crushed, pinched, or squeezed between two objects or parts of objects. This includes accidents where a worker is buried, such as in a collapsing trench or building. These types of accidents can be caused by several factors:
- Insufficient training on equipment and machinery safety
- Poorly-maintained machinery
- Improperly-constructed scaffolds and walls
- Inadequate support for trenches and excavation sites
- Improper use or security of heavy machinery
- Insufficient guarding of machinery during repairs or when not in use
These accidents can lead to severe workplace injuries such as muscle strains, torn ligaments, or broken bones, and in extreme cases, traumatic brain injuries, permanent limb damage, or even death.
Electrical Hazards that Construction Workers Face on Site
Construction workers’ job duties often require them to work on buildings or homes where they are exposed to live wires or electricity. As a result, they are required to handle electric devices in a wide range of jobs, which can be extremely dangerous.
Whether it’s a commercial or residential construction site, multiple electricity hazards threaten workplace safety, including:
- Underground power lines that can be struck with metal equipment or tools while digging
- Poorly insulated overhead power lines
- Unapproved or overloaded extension cord wires
- Lack of ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)
- Wet conditions
- Electrical circuits without proper breakers or fuses
- Electrical wiring not in proper polarity (neutral to neutral, hot to hot)
- Electrical equipment that is not properly grounded
- Electric tools operated with plug or cord not properly grounded or insulated
The severity of injuries sustained on construction sites depends on the amount of electric current that contacts a worker’s body. The greater the electric current, the more dangerous and potentially lethal the risk to the worker.
Other Frequent Construction Site Accidents
Various other types of construction site accidents are eligible for a compensation claim, which include:
1. Equipment Burns or other Machinery Accidents
Working with heavy machinery or equipment can be dangerous, particularly if it is not well-maintained. To avoid accidents, it is essential to conduct regular maintenance and inspections.
2. Repetitive Motion
Repetitive motion injuries are common in jobs that require workers to perform the same task repeatedly. This can lead to muscle strains, tendonitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
3. Ground or Trench Collapses
To prevent ground or trench collapses in the construction industry, it is crucial to provide proper support to trenches and train workers on safety measures in these environments.
4. Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur in any industry, but they are particularly common in environments where floors may be wet or slippery. To avoid these accidents, workers should wear appropriate footwear and ensure that spills are cleaned up promptly.
5. Vehicle Accidents
Construction workers who drive for a living are at risk of vehicle accidents. Especially when operating vehicles such as forklifts, cranes, or any other specialized vehicle equipment.
To prevent these accidents, workers should receive proper training on defensive driving techniques and ensure that their vehicles are well-maintained.
Coluccio Law – Your Trusted Construction Accident Claim Lawyer
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury in a construction accident, it’s important to seek legal help as soon as possible.
You shouldn’t hesitate to contact Coluccio Law to fight for your rights. With our extensive experience and demonstrated success, we’re the trusted lawyers you can rely on for your construction accident claim.
Schedule a free consultation today to take the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve.
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