The Seven Most Common Accidents on Construction Sites
May 31, 2018
Brooks Schuelke, Esq.
Schuelke Law PLLC
Austin, TX (Law Firm Newswire) May 31, 2018 – Generally work on construction sites is considered to be dangerous. However, construction site workers in Texas are at even more risk of accidents.
In 2016 Texas has the dubious distinction of having the highest number of fatal work accidents in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) there were 545 deaths on construction worksites in the state. In 2017, there were 769 fatalities. For further information on the most current statistics, visit: https://www.osha.gov/dep/fatcat/dep_fatcat.html
The most common accidents associated with construction worksites are:
· Falls from structures — falls from multi-story buildings are the most common cause of death on a construction site. Proper safety equipment and safety training is essential to protect workers.
· Falls from scaffolding — falls from scaffolding are also a common cause of death on a construction sites. Proper safety equipment and safety training are important in protecting workers as well as ensuring the scaffolding is erected properly and checked continuously.
· Slip, trip and fall accidents — materials and equipment are often scattered around a worksite causing workers to have to step around these items. Such disorganization combined with hazardous weather conditions can contribute to slip and fall accidents.
· Workers hit by vehicles onsite — according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) the majority of deaths happen in road construction work zones, with workers being hit by passing vehicles or by construction equipment.
· Workers hit by moving or falling materials — according to the BLS, building materials are the cause of most injuries, followed by metal, pipes, ducts and wood. Workers must have personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, steel-toed boots, hard hats and safety gloves.
· Electrocution — in 2017, the BLS indicates there were 81 fatalities attributed to electrocution. OSHA warns workers to look for overhead power lines and double and triple check to make sure the power is off before starting work.
· Trench collapse — trenches are common on construction sites. To avoid a collapse, OSHA advises workers to never go into an unprotected trench or an excavated area more than five feet deep without a protection system in place.
· Injuries sustained in fires or explosions — warning signs and labels need to be posted in prominent places on the worksite. Compressed air and flammable gases are volatile and dangerous. All safety standards need to be strictly followed.
If a worker gets injured on-the-job, medical costs and lost pay become issues. It does not matter if the worker is salaried or contracted. There are situations where workers’ compensation does not completely cover lost workdays or medical expenses. “If you have been injured on a construction site, our office can help you assess if you can move forward with a personal injury lawsuit,” said Brooks Schuelke, of Schuelke Law, LLC, an Austin workplace injury attorney.
Learn more at http://www.civtrial.com
Schuelke Law PLLC
3011 N. Lamar Blvd
Ste. 200
Austin, TX 78705
Call (512) 476-4944
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