In the construction industry, workers are often put in dangerous situations with few safeguards in place to protect them. While safety precautions are vital to keeping everyone on the job site safe, there are certain risks inherent in any type of construction work—including building site injuries, falls from ladders or scaffolds, exposure to hazardous substances, and more. With so many hazards and potential dangers associated with working as a contractor, it’s important for any new or experienced construction worker to understand what these types of accidents might look like and how to avoid them. Knowing what to look for and how to react in the event of an accident will help reduce the likelihood of serious injury or even fatality.
Slip, trip, or fall
The most common construction-related accident is the slip, trip, or fall. These accidents can happen anywhere on the job site, and can happen to a worker even if they have been on a construction site for years. The most common causes of these accidents are inadequate flooring, wet or otherwise unstable ground, and other hazards that might have been lurking underfoot, such as piles of debris or unsecured ladders. Unfortunately, slip, trip, or fall accidents are also one of the most common types of nonfatal injuries sustained by construction workers. The good news is that these types of injuries are usually relatively minor and easy to treat with rest and recovery time.
Falls from height
Falls from height are the second most common type of accident suffered by construction workers. These accidents are often the result of negligence or recklessness on the part of the contractor or other workers, such as the failure to use the proper safety equipment or create a safe work environment. Falls from height can come from a variety of sources, including ladders, scaffolds, or even other workers. Falls from height can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head injuries, and more. Falls from height can also be fatal if they result in a spinal injury, or if a worker falls from a significant height onto an unprotected surface.
Exposure to harmful substances
While working on a construction site, workers may unknowingly be exposed to harmful substances, such as asbestos, lead, or other toxic substances. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set strict regulations for many harmful substances, others are not regulated and may pose serious health risks to workers. These accidents are often the result of untrained workers conducting operations or activities that expose them to harmful substances. The most common cause of exposure to harmful substances is the failure to use proper protective equipment, such as proper-fitting safety goggles or a dust mask.
Contact with energized equipment or materials
Contact with energized equipment or materials is another type of construction accident that can have serious consequences for workers. While most injuries from contact with energized materials are relatively minor and can be treated at a local urgent care center, some can be very serious and even fatal. If a contractor fails to de-energize a piece of equipment before working in close proximity to it or fails to use the proper safety equipment, the worker may be injured by accidentally coming into contact with the energized equipment. Contractors are required to comply with OSHA’s regulations regarding contact with energized materials.
Excessive or sudden force
Excessive or sudden force accidents can occur during almost any type of construction work, and usually result from one or more workers not paying attention to what they’re doing or failing to use proper safety equipment. Excessive force accidents can happen when a worker is either operating heavy machinery or using tools, such as a jack hammer, that apply force to a surface. Sudden force accidents can happen when a worker is working on a high-risk project, such as demolishing a building, that requires them to work quickly and with little advance notice. Excessive or sudden force accidents can result in serious injuries, including broken bones, head injuries, and more.
How to avoid the top 5 construction site injuries
As you can see, there are many potential construction site injuries that can happen while working. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid or at least reduce the likelihood of suffering these types of injuries. Here are five ways to avoid or reduce the likelihood of suffering these top five construction site injuries:
Ensure that everyone working at the construction site is properly trained and has the right safety equipment. This will help ensure that everyone working at the job site is safe and can avoid or reduce the likelihood of many types of construction site injuries.
Ensure that the work environment is as safe and secure as possible. This will help reduce the likelihood of falls from height, slips, trips, and more.
Make sure that the workers at the job site are properly supervised. This will help reduce the likelihood of many types of construction site injuries, including falls from height, exposure to harmful substances, and more.
Ensure that all workers are aware of the potential hazards at the job site. This will help them recognize and avoid many types of construction site injuries.
Always use proper safety precautions and practices. This will help reduce the likelihood of many types of construction site injuries.
Conclusion
Construction work can be exciting and rewarding, but also comes with certain risks. As a construction worker, you can expect to be exposed to some of the most dangerous jobs in the world, from working on tall buildings to working at heights. While safety precautions are vital to keeping everyone on the job site safe, there are certain risks inherent in any type of construction work. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid or reduce the likelihood of suffering the top five construction site injuries.