The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports the following as the leading causes of work-related death among construction workers:
- Falls
- Struck By Object
- Electrocution
- Caught Between Objects
According to data collected by OSHA, the four causes listed above were responsible for more than 64% of worker deaths on construction sites in 2015. In this blog, we explain these four common fatal construction accidents and ways to make your workplace safer.
Falls
Work-related falls were the leading cause of fatal construction accidents in 2015. Because construction workers don’t always use proper fall protection, many falls at construction sites result in fatal injuries. This is why it is crucial for construction workers and employers to take the following safety precautions:
- Guard rails and toe-boards should be provided around elevated open sided platforms and dangerous machinery.
- Employees should be required to use safety harnesses and lines, safety nets, stair railings, and hand rails when performing work from heights.
- Training workers to use personal protective equipment can reduce fatal accidents.
Struck By Object
After falls, workers being struck by objects were the second leading cause of death on construction sites. A worker can be struck by a falling object, swinging object, or even rolling object if they are not paying attention or do not have enough time to react. The following tips can help you prevent these types of accidents:
- Always use high-quality safety glasses, goggles, or a face shield when you are working with power tools.
- Use toe boards, screens, and debris nets to store tools and materials you are working with.
- Be cautious in areas where people are working above you.
- Always wear a hard-hat whenever you are on a construction site.
- Never stay underneath a suspended load of heavy materials, and always make sure you are in the line of sight of the load operator.
Electrocution
Electrocution was the third leading cause of construction workplace deaths, and is responsible for more than 300 deaths and 4,000 workplace injuries each year. Sadly, many electrocution deaths at construction sites could have been prevented with following safety measures:
- Employees should know how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).
- PPE should be always be worn by employees at construction sites.
Caught Between Objects
Employees who were caught between objects were the fourth leading cause of construction site deaths. These fatal accidents include workers’ who had a body part caught, crushed, or squeezed between two objects. This commonly occurs after materials collapse or a worker is pulled into unguarded machinery. The following can prevent workers from being caught between objects:
- Know which areas of the worksite has equipment that can crush or pull you in.
- Before performing any repairs or inspections, always shut down equipment and ensure it cannot move or roll away.
- Focus on what you are doing when using dangerous equipment.
- Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing and jewelry at work.
- If you have long hair, pull it back into a bun before using machinery.
Construction Accident Lawyer in Seattle
At Kornfeld Law, we are committed to helping clients throughout Seattle obtain the compensation that they deserve for their accident injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury at a construction site, you should immediately speak to our team of lawyers about your legal options. Let us review your case today.
Call (425) 657-5255, to schedule your free case consultation with a Seattle personal injury attorney.