Working construction means being aware and alert at all times; while any job brings risk of accident, a construction site of course has more of those risks than just about any other environment. The equipment itself may be dangerous, and working on the high steel means good balance and no fear of heights. And there is always the danger of falling equipment from that high steel as well.
Government oversight and of course the threat of litigation have both contributed to construction company owners taking safety much more seriously than ever before. However, there are still some very real and very serious risks when working on construction sites.
Quick Stats
In 2004, there were some 1,234 reported fatalities in the private construction industry, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. This put construction as the fourth highest industry with fatalities for that year. Some 36% of these fatalities were due to falls, the largest single cause of these deaths. Interestingly, not all falls were from the construction area themselves. As an example, the majority of falls suffered by roofers in the construction injury were from the equipment used to access the roofs, not the roofs themselves.
There were also some 400,000 non-fatal illnesses and injuries reported in the construction injury that year. This represented some 6.4% of workers in the industry, versus 4.8% of workers in other industries reporting injuries and illnesses.
Protecting Yourself
Far too many accidents in construction are the result of worker negligence. Safety harnesses are used incorrectly or not used at all. Simple precautions are ignored which result in injury and unfortunately, even death.
Protecting yourself in the construction industry is always important. Never ignore even the smallest safety precaution, for your own sake and that of those around you. And if you have been injured on the job, always seek the advice of an attorney. He or she can review your case and advise if litigation is necessary, or what course of action will best protect your interests. Do not use this article for legal advice, please contact a lawyer for more information.
Learn more about construction accidents and other workplace injuries from Wurtzel Law of Long Island, New York.
