Construction sites are full of potential hazards. Even when workers and site supervisors follow all the safety recommendations, construction is naturally hazardous. Workers must navigate heavy machinery, heights, power tools, and sometimes toxic substances.
It’s no surprise that construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. A recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that construction had the second-highest number of fatal accidents of any occupation. Here’s what you need to know about their causes, how to avoid them whenever possible, and what to do if you can’t.
What is the OSHA Focus Four?
The majority of these injuries result from the same few types of construction accidents. Identifying the most common accidents and spreading awareness about them can help prevent future accidents. That’s precisely what the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) aims to do.
OSHA has come up with its “Focus Four” accidents, which are sometimes called the “Fatal Four” because they’re to blame for the majority of deaths on construction sites. These accidents are falls, struck-bys, caught-in/betweens, and electrocutions. Here’s what you need to know about each
Fall Accidents
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips, and trips were the leading causes of fatal accidents on construction sites. It’s no wonder OSHA considers fall accidents to be its number one priority for safety outreach for construction workers.
To prevent falls, construction workers should install perimeter protection around the edges of buildings and cover and label all floor openings. They should also wear personal fall arrest equipment when working at heights where falls can occur. And they should properly assemble and use scaffolding.
Of course, site managers and supervisors must also make sure workers follow these OSHA recommendations. A construction site that’s lax about safety regulations is the perfect breeding ground for unsafe conditions.
Struck-By Accidents
Struck-by accidents happen when a moving vehicle strikes a worker outside the vehicle. In order to prevent these accidents, workers should always stand safely off to the side when directing construction vehicles or traffic—never between a vehicle and a stationary object. Workers should also always wear high-visibility clothes, especially in low-light conditions like nighttime road construction.
Speaking of road construction, construction vehicles on-site aren’t the only vehicles workers need to watch out for. When working in road construction zones, workers should stay behind barriers and set up signs alerting drivers to the construction.
Struck-by accidents also don’t always need to involve vehicles. Falling objects can strike workers on the ground, leading to serious injury. For this reason, you should always wear a hard hat when entering a construction site.
Caught-In/Between Accidents
Caught-in/between accidents occur when a worker becomes trapped. Trench collapses are a common cause of this type of accident and can be deadly. Even a few feet of dirt and mud can crush a worker and prevent them from being able to breathe.
OSHA’s recommendations for trench excavations include implementing protective measures to prevent collapses in trenches five feet or deeper. These protective measures include sloping, shoring, or benching the trench or installing a trench shield system.
Workers can also become trapped between objects, such as between moving parts of a vehicle or within holes large enough to fall into. OSHA highlights trenches when discussing caught-in/between accidents, but it’s important to remember that there are many other ways to become trapped on a construction site.
Electrocution Accidents
Electrocutions are extremely dangerous construction site hazards for two reasons. First, they can be difficult to identify. You can’t tell if an object has an electric current running through it just by looking at it.
Second, even if you feel fine after being electrocuted, the current could have caused severe internal damage. An electrical current going through your chest can cause an abnormal heartbeat, which could be fatal if you don’t receive medical treatment.
To prevent electrocutions, workers should locate and identify utilities before starting work and keep vehicles and other heavy machinery away from power lines. They should also always make sure handheld electric tools are grounded or double-insulated before use. And workers should be aware of puddles and metal objects that could conduct electricity.
Other Common Construction Accidents
The Focus Four aren’t the only construction accidents you need to worry about. Here are some other potential dangers to be aware of.
Slips and Trips
Next to falls, slips and trips are among the most dangerous accidents on construction sites. They don’t generally involve the heights that falls do, but slipping on a wet surface or tripping on an object left on the ground can still result in serious injury.
You may break your wrist or arm when bracing yourself as you fall. Or, you could even hit your head and suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). You shouldn’t overlook simple slips and falls when considering construction site dangers.
Failure to Wear PPE
Construction companies and site managers that do not provide workers with adequate personal protection equipment (PPE) put them at an increased risk of catastrophic injuries Face protection prevents small objects, like metal flakes, from getting in your eyes and causing blindness. And respirators prevent you from inhaling fumes that could damage your lungs and cause disease.
Construction workers regularly come into contact with hazardous materials. Old buildings being demolished may contain asbestos, and sawdust or plaster dust from new construction can cause lung injury.
Construction Accident Attorneys Serving Illinois
Were you injured in a construction accident in Illinois? Bartholomew, Shevlin & Flack, LLP is here to help you demand the compensation you need and deserve. In addition to workers’ compensation benefits, you could have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person or company responsible for the unsafe conditions that led to your injury.
Contact our law office in Belleville, IL, for a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case and explain the legal options available. And if you still have questions, we’re happy to answer them.