Construction is one of the biggest industries around the world and for good reason. By throwing up new commercial buildings, homes, shops, freeways, and so much more, construction workers are the cornerstone of society. Unfortunately, construction accidents are extremely common and are often the foundation of a worker’s compensation claim due to this prevalence.
Proactive safety measures and legal awareness are both required in order to make construction sites safer for all workers. An injured workforce is a nonproductive workforce and, on top of this, you certainly don’t want your business to have the reputation of one where workers suffer injuries. Learn the most common causes of construction accidents so that you can take the proper precautions to prevent them.
Falls from Heights: The Leading Cause of Construction Injuries
Without a doubt, falls from large heights are one of the most commonly seen construction accidents. With scaffolding, unprotected roofs, ladders, and other surfaces which require climbing being seen are construction sites, it only makes sense. Being severely injured from a fall doesn’t even require that much height either.
In fact, just over 11% of fall fatalities in recent years occurred from heights between six to ten feet. Preventing a fall at a construction site is all about taking the proper steps to protect workers. This includes using fall protection systems such as harnesses and guardrails properly, while also conducting regular training for your employees on working at heights. You also need to properly inspect and maintain all equipment regularly to ensure things are in working condition.
Struck-by Objects: A Persistent Hazard on Construction Sites
Another major cause of injury on construction sites is objects, typically falling from above, striking workers. Falling tools, equipment, or materials in general are all examples of hazards that can lead to head or general bodily injury. This most often happens when other workers accidentally drop items or when machines such as cranes aren’t secured properly when being loaded and allow items to slip off.
The best way to prevent your workers from being injured is to ensure they wear their protective gear when necessary. It’s also important to secure all tools and materials, which may involve using safety netting or barriers to contain those objects. Be aware that failing to secure your sites can result in fines from organizations such as OSHA.
Caught-in or Between Accidents: Crushing and Entrapment Risks
A particularly gruesome source of injury is caught-in or between incidents. With heavy machinery often being used at work sites, workers can accidentally get caught between equipment pieces leading to serious injury or death. Trench collapses, getting squished between machinery, or being slammed by collapsing walls are all examples.
Preventing this issue is more challenging than some of the others, but can usually be done. Ensure that your construction sites all use proper shoring and excavation methods to secure walls and flooring. Additionally, all your machinery and equipment need to be maintained regularly and have safety checks performed on them. Your workers are also the first line of defense to injuries, so train them to recognize hazards so they can respond accordingly.
Electrical Accidents: The Dangers of Live Wires and Faulty Equipment
The fourth most common source of accidents on construction sites are electrical incidents. Live wires and faulty equipment lead to dangerous injuries stemming from electric shock, which makes this a particularly potent source of injury. Improper grounding of wiring or a failure to de-energize equipment are the two sub-issues that most commonly result in this problem.
As mentioned before, and serving as the general theme, training your workers will be pivotal. Educate them on electrical safety and ensure that lockout and tagout procedures are used within your sites. Never miss a regular inspection of your electrical tools or an installation as well as both of these situations can lead to mistakes that cause injury.
Hazardous Materials Exposure: The Silent Danger in Construction
The source of injury that is perhaps most overlooked in the construction industry is exposure to hazardous materials. Asbestos, lead paint, and general toxic fumes are all common culprits of long-term respiratory injuries and disease in workers. Any unsafe handling or inadequate protection can lead to exposure, sometimes unknowingly, which is what makes this so dangerous.
Conduct regular hazard assessments and provide appropriate PPE to your workers to avoid this. In addition to training your workers on how to handle any hazardous substances they come into contact with, you should also ensure there is proper ventilation of all work areas and that materials are disposed of safely.
Hazardous materials are the silent danger in construction for a reason, so never hesitate to bring in professionals who can identify if there have been gaps in your protection.
Building a culture of safety in construction
At the end of the day, comprehensive safety measures, worker training, and consistent equipment inspections will catch most of the issues outlined above. Considering the importance of construction companies and the projects they work on, the last thing needed is a slowdown in production. With that said, worker safety always needs to be at the top of mind above all else.
A culture of safety extends beyond surface-level injuries and requires you to implement sweeping policies that protect your employees at all levels. To keep your workers safe and comfortable, identify any and all risk factors at your work sites and strive to mitigate that risk. Doing so will allow your workers to perform to the best of their ability while also giving you peace of mind that there is a reduced chance of injury.
