The construction industry has a well-deserved reputation for being a dangerous way to make a living. Construction has one of the highest rates of worker fatalities in the United States. OSHA provides information on the most common ways that workers lose their lives in the construction industry, and offers guidance on how to prevent these accidents.
Many of the fatal injuries in construction are preventable. A Chicago construction accident attorney can answer your questions about the top three causes of fatalities in construction. The most common fatal accidents in the construction field are falls, struck-by, and caught-in/between accidents, according to OSHA.
Falls on Construction Worksites
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that falling from a height is the number one cause of fatalities on construction sites. These accidents are different from trip and fall or slip and fall accidents because the person has the added force of impact when they hit the ground after falling a significant distance.
Construction work sites often involve people performing tasks at a variety of heights. For example, a building under construction might have multiple unfinished floors or stories. Someone working on an elevator shaft could fall many floor levels. A person on a roof or scaffolding will be at a height.
OSHA recommends that workers on construction sites can prevent falls by:
- Following safety rules when using scaffolds and ladders.
- Installing perimeter protection.
- Always wearing and using personal fall protection equipment when working at a height.
- Using safety protocols for floor openings, like covering and securing the openings, and labeling the floor covers.
Diligent, consistent use of fall prevention safety rules could save lives.
Struck-By Accidents
Far too many workers get struck by moving objects, equipment, and vehicles on construction sites. Part of the problem is that the people operating those items do not always devote their full attention to the task or keep a consistent lookout for those around them.
Many of these injuries happen due to the carelessness of other people rather than those who get struck by objects. To prevent getting injured, a construction worker will want to wear high-visibility clothing when working near vehicles or equipment. Also, it is important to maintain an escape route to avoid getting hit. If at all possible, never position yourself between moving objects and fixed objects that would block your path of escape.
Caught-In/Between Fatal Injuries
Trenches and excavation are inherently dangerous because they can collapse or cave in. If an unprotected trench or excavation is 5 feet deep or more, you should not enter it without a protective system sufficient to prevent a collapse or cave-in. Depending on the conditions, a trench that is less than 5 feet deep might need to use a protective system.
There are multiple types of trench or excavation protection systems. These systems include benching or trench shield, sloping, or shoring systems. The type of protective system you should use will depend on your circumstances.
Contact Our Chicago Construction Accidents Attorneys Today
If you get hurt or a loved one lost their life working on a construction site, the Chicago construction accident attorneys of Hale & Monico can help you hold the negligent parties accountable and fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve for your loss. For help with your case get in touch with our office today, we offer a free consultation.