The construction industry is regarded as one of the most hazardous industries in the US. Construction sites are a dangerous place to be as there is a high chance of injury. An established personal injury law firm may encounter more construction site injury cases than other kinds of work-related injuries. This goes to show how dangerous a construction site or the construction industry can be in general. To protect workers and staff from accidents, there are safety rules and regulations to guide workers. However, these rules and regulations, along with personal protective equipment, have done little to eradicate the prevalence of construction-related accidents.
The chance of a construction accident increases due to heavy machinery, many staff working in an area, loose materials, and unstable surfaces. To better understand construction accidents and why the construction industry is regarded as the most dangerous industry, below are some of the leading causes of accidents.
Falls
One of the biggest causes of construction accidents is falling. Construction workers often work at heights; this means that there is a chance that they may slip on surfaces and fall off. Falling from a height on a construction site can be very dangerous. The worker is unsure of what is on the ground, whether machinery, a sharp tool, boulders, or others. The chance of suffering a fatal injury as a result of falls on construction sites is high. Victims may suffer broken limbs, broken necks, traumatic brain injury, or may even die.
Falling Objects
While falls are a common cause of accidents on construction sites, falling objects are just also as common. A worker working on a higher platform may make a mistake causing a heavy tool or machinery to fall. This falling object threatens the life and safety of other construction workers on the ground. Victims of such an accident may suffer various injuries depending on the object involved and the force of impact.
Electrocution
Construction workers are in charge of making sure that buildings hold up to the current industry standards. Whether they are remodeling or renovating a building, there is a chance that they will come in contact with electrical wires. Exposed electrical wires and wiring can cause electrocution. Many construction workers have died or suffered severe damages that left them in a vegetative state due to electrocution. Construction accidents from electrocution rank among the top causes of deaths among construction workers.
Heavy Machinery Accidents
Construction sites are often noisy due to lots of heavy machinery and vehicles on-site. There is a huge chance that a worker may be distracted by the noise and they may not notice an oncoming construction vehicle or machinery. Drivers may also be distracted causing them to run into staff on site. This can lead to loss of limbs, traumatic brain injury, neck injury, or other fatal injuries, including death.
Trench or Ground Collapse
Sometimes, construction projects require workers to dig tunnels, especially in instances like sewer and drainage construction projects. A wide range of unfortunate circumstances can lead to the collapse of such tunnels. Collapsed tunnels often trap or kill workers.
Common Construction Site Injuries
Having understood the common construction site accidents, you should also know how severe the resulting injuries can be. Below are some of the common injuries sustained by construction workers.
Burns and Scarring
Construction site workers often suffer burns and scarring when they contact electrical wires during an explosion on the construction site. The degree of burn injury suffered by the workers depends on a range of factors, including the extent of the explosion, response time from the paramedics and firefighters, and more.
Burns and scarring are usually common on construction sites that deal with dangerous and volatile chemicals. This type of injury can also be recorded on sites with leaking gas pipes.
Head Injuries
Head injuries can be caused by falls or falling objects, machinery, tools, or materials. Construction workers can suffer a wide range of head injuries, from minor injuries to fatal ones. Common head injuries include lacerations, concussions, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are common on construction sites. This kind of injury may result from falls from a height or being run over by a vehicle or heavy machinery. Construction workers may suffer paralysis, which may be partial or full, or other permanent disabilities like brain damage due to spinal cord injuries.
Cuts and Lacerations
Cuts and lacerations are often common on construction sites. This type of injury may be minor or severe, depending on the force of impact and the object or machinery involved. Common causes of such injuries include improper safety practices, improperly maintained or defective tools, exposed nails, unsecured machinery or tools, and others. While cuts and lacerations may be minor in some cases, they may become complicated when infected. Wearing protective coverings and safety equipment can help to reduce the incidence of such injuries like this.
Broken, Fractured, or Crushed Bones
Construction workers may suffer broken limbs, fractured bones, or in the worst-case scenario, crushed bones. This type of injury is often caused by the impact of heavy machinery. Sometimes, construction workers may be hit by construction vehicles or caught in-between operating pieces of machinery,causing them such injuries like this.
Loss of Hearing
Construction sites are often noisy due to sound produced by various operating machinery and equipment. Workers who aren’t provided with proper protective equipment like earplugs to cover their ears may suffer hearing loss over time. Workers may also lose their hearing ability when they are hit by objects that rupture their eardrums. Such an accident can lead to partial or total hearing loss.
Some other injuries associated with the construction industry include
- Loss of limbs or digits
- Heatstroke
- Stress injuries, and
- Loss of vision.
For more information on construction site accidents as well as how to file a personal injury claim for construction-related accidents, visit https://lawofficesofmitchellozeri.com/
Ozeri Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyers
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