Construction work is often a dangerous job for anyone who enters a construction site. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that there are nearly 4,500 fatalities each year in the construction industry. Many of these accidents can be prevented if employers take the necessary safety precautions to protect workers from harm.
In this blog post, we will discuss five common construction site accidents that often lead to serious injuries and even death. Read on to learn more.
#1 – Falls
The first example is falls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for nearly 40% of all construction worker fatalities. They often occur when workers are not provided with proper safety equipment, such as fall arrest systems or scaffolding.
Most of the time when a construction worker sustains a fall injury, it is the result of falling from a higher level to a lower level. These incidents account for about 40% of all fall accidents in the construction industry.
#2 – Struck-by
Another common accident is being struck by an object. This can happen when workers are using power tools or working near heavy machinery. Objects can also fall from heights and hit workers below.
These types of fatal construction accidents tend to occur more than 15% of the time.
#3 – Electrocution
Another type of accident that is common in the construction industry is electrocution. This often happens when workers come into contact with live electrical wires. It can also occur when workers are using defective power tools or operating machinery without taking the proper safety precautions.
Electrocution injuries account for over 7% of the total number of fatalities in the construction industry.
#4 – Getting Caught
The fourth example is being caught in or between objects. This can happen when workers are working in confined spaces or around heavy machinery. Workers can also be caught in the middle of a collapse, such as a cave-in or a trench collapse.
Caught-in/between incidents make up over 5% of the total number of annual construction worker fatalities.
#5 – Harmful Substances
The fifth and final example of injury-causing construction accidents is exposure to harmful substances. This can occur when workers are exposed to asbestos, lead, or other materials that are hazardous to human health. It can also happen when workers are not provided with proper safety gear, such as respirators or protective clothing.
Demographics of Injured Construction Workers
One element of construction worker injuries that is particularly alarming and important to note is that deaths among Hispanic construction workers rose about 90% from 2011 to 2019, which outpaces the group’s employment growth in the industry during the time period.
Additionally, smaller companies with fewer than 20 workers made up 75% of deadly fall accidents between 2015 and 2017, despite accounting for just 39% of all construction payroll employment.
We Can Help Injured Construction Workers
These are just five common examples of construction site accidents that often lead to injuries. Unfortunately, many of these accidents can be prevented if employers take the necessary safety precautions.
If you have been injured in a construction accident for any reason, it is important to both seek immediate medical care and speak with an experienced personal injury attorney right away.
At The Cassisi Law Firm, we have helped many injured construction workers like you get the compensation they deserve. We will fight to make sure that you are taken care of and your rights are protected. Don’t delay—contact us today for a free consultation.
Call the Ozone Park lawyers at The Cassisi Law Firm today at 718-441-5050 to speak with an experienced attorney about your construction injury case.
