On the job injuries are likely to occur anywhere; however, one of the more dangerous jobs a person can have is being a construction worker, which can find a worker 50 stories above the ground or be using very heavy, powerful, and potentially risky equipment.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that in 2009, there were 816 fatal work-related injuries for construction workers, higher than any other industry that year. The following are a list of common construction site accidents so employers and employees can better protect themselves against on the job construction injuries:
- Roof–related falls: Roof falls are one of the most common causes of death at construction sites, and roof-related falls (such as a skylight fall) pose great risks for workers. Both should be taken very seriously.
- Crane accidents and crane falls: Crane accident deaths can be caused by a variety of things, such as high winds or defective cranes, and crane falls (when a person falls from a crane or it topples over) can cause devastating injuries.
- Falling objects: Workers are at risk when working in an area where overhead work is being performed.
- Holes in a construction site floor: Falls caused by a weak floor or unmarked holes may cause serious injury to an unsuspecting construction worker.
- Electrical accidents: The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that 350 construction workers die each year from electrical accidents, including electric shock, electrocution, and power line contact.
- Scaffolding accidents: About 65% of the construction industry works on scaffolds on a fairly regular basis, making safety on this equipment very important. Accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including defective or improperly assembled scaffolding.
- Fires and explosions: OSHA determined more than 5,000 construction workers are injured and 200 killed each year due to workplace fires and explosions, making it one of the top safety concerns at a site.
It is important to remember that employers and construction companies have the responsibility to protect their workers from dangerous accidents. If employers are negligent and fail to take necessary safety precautions for their employees, they can be held liable for any injuries that may occur. The Chattanooga construction accident lawyers of Massey & Associates, P.C. can help any TN resident who has been in a construction accident caused by another party’s negligence. Call (423) 396-0720 for a complimentary consultation. Consult a Chattanooga construction accident attorney today.
Gary Massey, Jr., is a well-known courtroom advocate practicing law in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gary is a native of Tennessee who began practicing law in 1998. He graduated from Cumberland School of Law where he was ranked in the top 3% of his class and was an editor of the Cumberland Law Review.
