OSHA’s Fatal Four Causes of Construction Worker Deaths
According to OSHA, most fatal accidents at construction sites were caused by falls, electrical exposure, workers being struck by objects, and workers getting trapped inside or behind dangerous equipment.
You do not need to have worked in construction to know that the job carries the potential for many safety hazards; you can tell just by looking at a construction site. If you drive past an area where buildings are being constructed, you cannot help but notice that you are a tiny speck in comparison to the huge steel beams and towering cranes. Construction has one of the highest rates of fatal work accidents of all occupations, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set rigorous standards to prevent accidents at construction sites. In other words, many construction accidents are preventable. If you have suffered a work injury while working in construction, contact an Omaha workers’ compensation lawyer.
How to Avoid the Biggest Hazards at Construction Sites
The number one cause of fatal accidents at construction sites is workers falling from a height. OSHA guidelines require the installation of approved fall protection systems at all areas of the site where workers are at risk of falling six feet or more. This could mean installing personal fall arrest (PFA) systems, covers, or guardrails. Workers must wear safety harnesses appropriate for the kind of work being done and must receive instruction on how to use these safety harnesses.
Electrocution is the second leading cause of construction site fatalities. These are some ways to prevent electricity exposure accidents:
- Do not operate construction equipment near power lines
- Mark the location of utilities before starting work
- Make sure that portable electric tools are double grounded or insulated
- Use ground-fault surge protectors
The third biggest cause of construction accident fatalities is workers getting hit by mobile objects. OSHA also requires construction project managers to protect workers from falling objects, flying objects, rolling objects, and swinging objects. By wearing personal protective equipment, especially if it includes bright colors or lights that make workers visible from a distance, other workers who are moving potentially dangerous objects will have an easier time steering clear. All objects that could cause injury if they became airborne must be secured.
The fourth biggest cause of construction accident fatalities is workers getting pinned to a wall or other structure by a piece of machinery. To prevent getting trapped behind a piece of equipment, workers should avoid standing between a moving object and a stationary one. Vehicle operators should also ensure that no one is standing nearby before they begin moving the vehicle.
Contact Andres Law Offices, PC LLO About Construction Accidents
Construction is the industry with the highest incidence of workers’ compensation claims for fatal and catastrophic injuries. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you get the workers’ compensation benefits to which you are entitled if you have been injured on the job while working in construction. Contact Andres Law Offices, PC LLO in Omaha, Nebraska about your case.