A lot can happen to workers while they’re on the job, especially in industries like construction.
Each year in the United States, about 137,000 construction employees suffer serious injuries at work, and more than 800 of them die from those injuries, according to the United States Department of Labor.
Here are six common construction site accidents and incidents that often result in construction workers seeking personal injury compensation.
1. Slips, trips, and falls
More than 888,000 incidents in 2019 in the United States required workers to miss time from their jobs. 27% of those incidents were related to slips, trips, or falls, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Falling and tripping happen regularly on construction sites. A worker might fall from a roof, through a floor opening, off a ledge, or from scaffolding. Many construction projects are multi-story buildings, increasing the chance that a simple stumble will lead to a serious injury.
Tools and materials are often found stacked around construction sites, and workers need to avoid these to keep from tripping. Trying to walk on ice, rain and snow can also cause someone to lose their footing. This includes construction workers who brave the elements to fix roads and pavements.
2. Being hit by vehicles
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says that almost 40% of the occupational fatalities in 2019 happened because of some kind of transportation incident, such as being struck by a tractor, trailer, crane, or truck. Workers are around these types of vehicles often, and their projects sometimes are near roadways where other drivers could strike them.
To decrease the chances of being hit, workers can wear reflective vests and other protective clothing to increase their visibility when they work around vehicles.
3. Getting struck by moving or falling materials
Construction materials are some of the main culprits of workplace accidents. The weight and force from materials like metal, wood, and pipes can cause serious harm to someone who isn’t aware or protected properly. In fact, the CDC reports that over 229,000 injuries in 2019 related to being struck by objects or equipment forced workers to miss time.
Workers should use personal protective equipment, including hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, and steel or composite-toed boots to reduce the risk of being injured by moving materials.
4. Electrocution
2020 saw the fewest number of deaths by electrocution since 2003 (126). However, the number of electrical injuries that forced employees away from work spiked by 17% in 2020 compared to 2019.
“Locate and identify utilities before starting work,” OSHA cautions. “Look for overhead power lines when operating any equipment” to reduce your risk of electrocution.
5. Trench collapse
Many types of construction sites need trenches to fix underground pipes, create buildings, and build roads. To prevent injury from a collapsed trench, OSHA says workers should never go in an unprotected trench, nor should they go in an area that is excavated deeper than 5 feet, unless it has a protective system.
6. Injuries from fires or explosions
Working next to flammable gases or compressed air presents the danger of explosion and fire. Construction site employees should pay close attention to warning labels and safety standards to prevent this type of injury.
After an accident
After a construction worker has been in an accident, whether that worker is contracted or salaried in the company, addressing medical costs and lack of income during recovery becomes a pressing concern.
Unfortunately, sometimes workers compensation and insurance don’t fully cover costly medical expenses or missed days of work. However, once you’ve been injured, you’re immediately on the clock for seeking compensation from your employer.
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