Most Dangerous Equipment on a Construction Site
Construction sites are filled with powerful machinery designed to move earth, lift heavy materials, and complete tasks that would be impossible by hand. While this equipment is essential for modern construction, it also presents some of the most serious hazards workers face.
If you were injured by dangerous equipment on your worksite, consult a work injury lawyer from Andres Law Offices today. We can advise you on your rights and oversee the legal process on your behalf.
Cranes and Hoists
Cranes top the list of dangerous construction equipment due to their massive size, heavy loads, and complexity. Tower cranes, mobile cranes, and overhead hoists can cause catastrophic accidents when they malfunction, tip over, or drop loads. Workers can be struck by swinging loads, crushed by falling materials, or electrocuted if the crane comes into contact with power lines.
Forklifts
Forklifts are deceptively dangerous. Their compact size and familiar appearance can make workers complacent, but these machines are responsible for numerous serious accidents each year. Tip-overs, workers struck by moving forklifts, pedestrians run over, and crushing injuries from loads or the forklift itself are common.
Excavators and Backhoes
These earth-moving machines create multiple hazards on construction sites. Workers can be struck by the swinging boom, crushed between the machine and fixed objects, or buried in trench collapses. Excavators also pose risks when they strike underground utilities or when operators have limited visibility of workers in blind spots. The power and reach of these machines make any accident potentially fatal.
Bulldozers
Bulldozers move massive amounts of earth and debris, creating serious hazards for nearby workers. Rollovers on unstable ground, workers struck by the blade or machine body, and visibility issues lead to devastating injuries. The sheer weight and power of bulldozers mean that even low-speed accidents can cause severe trauma or death.
Scaffolding Systems
While not motorized equipment, scaffolding is one of the most dangerous pieces of construction infrastructure. Improperly assembled scaffolding, missing guardrails, unstable platforms, and overloaded sections cause falls that result in serious injuries and fatalities. Workers rely on scaffolding daily, making any defects or shortcuts in assembly especially hazardous.
Power Saws and Cutting Tools
Circular saws, concrete saws, chop saws, and cutting equipment cause frequent injuries ranging from, lacerations and amputations to eye injuries from flying debris. Kickback, blade breakage, and improper use of these high-speed cutting tools can happen in an instant, leaving workers with permanent disabilities.
Aerial Lifts and Scissor Lifts
Boom lifts, cherry pickers, and scissor lifts enable workers to access elevated areas, but they also create fall hazards, tip-over risks, and electrocution dangers. Workers can be ejected from the platform, the lift can collapse, or the equipment can come into contact with overhead power lines. Inadequate training and failure to use fall protection increase injury rates.
We Protect Your Rights After an Equipment-Related Injury
Equipment accidents often result in severe injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and lengthy recovery periods. Workers’ compensation should cover your medical bills and lost wages, but insurance companies frequently challenge claims involving serious injuries or dispute the extent of your disabilities.
At Andres Law Offices, we have extensive experience representing Omaha construction workers who have been injured by dangerous equipment. We investigate the circumstances of your accident, gather evidence, and fight to ensure you receive full compensation for your injuries. Don’t navigate the workers’ compensation system alone.
If you’ve been injured by construction equipment, contact Andres Law Offices at 402-491-4003 or online for a free consultation. We’re committed to protecting the rights of injured workers.