Construction remains one of the most dangerous occupations with the fourth-highest death rate. 10% of construction workers die on the job, amounting to one-fifth of all worker deaths in the U.S. There have been safety improvements that include more rigorous measures and more in-depth training. Some sites even have breathalyzers for workers before they enter the job site. Despite this, there are an average of 15 construction-related deaths per day.
Four common causes of death
These so-called fatal four amount to more than 60% of construction deaths on the job:
- Falls: One-third of all fatalities involve workers falling from platforms, scaffolding, structures, or equipment.
- Struck by equipment: Equipment, such as cranes, are very dangerous, and can easily crush a worker in the wrong place at the wrong time.
- Electrocution: Job sites often require high voltage for commercial equipment, and unnoticed damage to cables or equipment can lead to malfunctions.
- Caught-in-between: Workers can get caught in-between or pinned under large pieces of equipment or materials.
Citations are not enough
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) routinely issue citations and fines to construction companies for safety violations that can range from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, these citations and fines cannot prevent every accident on a dangerous work site, like a construction site.
Construction Injuries Require Legal Representation
Workers injured on a construction site are often faced with serious repercussions for their personal lives, including a reduced ability to work, if they are able to work at all following their accident. In addition to a workers’ compensation claim against the direct employer, there are usually a number of other parties involved in a construction site, and a thorough investigation may reveal that they have responsibility for the accident as well.
The attorneys at Goldstein, Ballen, O’Rourke & Wildstein, P.C. are experienced in investigation and representing construction site victims and their families. Contact us for a free consultation.