You can get injured in almost any job. If you work in an office, you could get a paper cut and subsequent infection, or you could stumble upon a wayward stapler. If you work as a cop you could get shot, and if you work as a firefighter you could run into a burning building and never get out. However, one of the most dangerous jobs is that of a construction worker.
The construction industry makes a huge contribution to the country's economy and employs over 7 million people. Many of these workers are day laborers and some of them are asked to do jobs for which they are not necessarily qualified. In construction contracts, a date is usually specified by which the construction work should be completed. When construction workers want to finish a project on time, they can get a little sloppy with their work. They may not be able to properly secure or inspect their equipment, which could result in injury to workers and passers-by. There are some types of accidents that are more common than others.
Tripping and falling accidents
A lot of equipment is used on every construction site. Tools that have not been properly secured and have spilled liquid could cause a construction worker or passer-by to fall. If a construction site is not properly cleaned, people can fall over the debris left behind from work.
Unsafe equipment
Construction machinery can be quite complex in design. Machines often have a number of moving parts. The more moving parts a device has, the more things can go wrong. Therefore, construction machinery must be checked and replaced regularly. Failure to properly maintain the device could result in an accident.
It is also important that a person who is responsible for operating the device is well trained. For example, it takes at least three weeks in school to learn how to operate a crane and the operator must be certified. Unscrupulous construction companies can try to save time and money on the job by hiring an untrained person to operate a crane. A mishandled crane can drop its load and kill someone. If a crane is not on a level surface, it is unbalanced and can easily fall whatever it is carrying.
Lack of PPE and protection on site
Every construction worker should wear a helmet, boots and hearing protection. Some companies let you bring your own, others provide PPE, but they should never let you work without PPE. The site should also be professionally protected. If you are working in a trench, the site should have a shoring system that prevents the soil from moving. It should also have appropriate ventilation systems. It is not uncommon for trenches to collapse and suffocate the workers inside.
Electrical workers should use face shields. Electrical test equipment should be available on site and you should use safety extension cords and power strips at all times. Further information on the causes of accidents can be found here. If you are injured while working on a construction site, employee compensation should cover your injuries. However, there can be many contractors and subcontractors in a given location, and it can be confusing to know who to file your worker's compensation claim with. Be sure to inform your line manager of any injuries and see a doctor immediately. If you are an injured passerby, the site manager's name should be given to you. If you're struggling to get adequate compensation for your injuries or if you've lost a loved one in a construction accident, you should turn to a personal injury attorney who can get you the money you deserve.
