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Keeping Construction Workers Safe

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There are hazards present in every work environment but some jobs are more dangerous than others. According to statistics collected by OSHA, 2.8% of workers will suffer a work-related illness or accident each year.

Construction Accident Statistics

There were 14 work related fatalities per day in 2017 totaling roughly 5110 for the year. Of those, construction site accidents that resulted in fatalities were 971. That is approximately 20% of all work-related fatalities.

Construction site accidents lawyer Suffolk, NY

In New York the percentage was higher. The New York Post attributes 37.5% of work-related deaths of 2016 in the state to construction accidents.

Top Causes of Construction Site Fatalities

The leading causes of construction site fatalities are:

  • Falls-Workers climbing ladders and standing on elevated platforms create risks for both the workers above and those below. Items accidentally dropped from a height can strike workers at ground level.
  • Workers being struck by an object- Items can fall from above but they can also be launched from or otherwise projected by the impact of equipment.
  • Electrocution-Electricity powered equipment and unburied wires at construction sites can create hazards.
  • Workers being caught in between objects or equipment- This can happen in a number of ways from falls into equipment to accidents while transferring equipment throughout the construction site.
  • Construction sites also have the potential for a wide range of non-fatal injuries including bone fractures, repetitive motion injuries, back injuries, burns and eye injuries.

Why Do They Happen?

There are many causes of such accidents and many of these injuries could have been prevented. The most common cause of injuries at construction sites are:

  • Lack of Protective Gear or its misuse
  • Improper training on equipment
  • Poorly maintained equipment
  • Unsafe conditions at the worksite
  • Non-Compliance with OSHA regulations
  • Poorly Space Layout

How Can Construction Accidents be Prevented?

  • Every employee should have proper personal protective gear available to them. The gear should be in good condition and they should know how to properly use it.
  • Supervisors should enforce the use of protective equipment and there should be consequences when employees improperly use or fail to use the provided protective equipment.
  • All employees should be trained on equipment before use. Construction companies should have policies in place to educate and assess an employee’s competence with heavy equipment before they are allowed to use it independently.
  • Equipment should be regularly inspected for function and safety. Any equipment that is not in order should be removed until it can be repaired. Damaged or malfunctioning equipment should never be used.
  • Anyone performing maintenance on equipment should be properly trained and, when appropriate, certified.
  • All work sites should follow OSHA safety guidelines.

What to do if You Have Suffered a Construction Related Injury?

If you have been injured in a construction accident, it is important to seek legal representation from a construction accident lawyer.

Robert Golan PC is a Lawyer for disabilities appeals servicing Long Island NY, Queens NY, Nassau NY, and Suffolk NY. If you are one of the hundreds of workers injured in a construction accident every year, contact Robert Golan at 516 586 3910 for a free case evaluation today.


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