Common Types of Construction Accidents
Posted November 19th, 2020 by Anthony Carbone.
Categories: Uncategorized.
The construction industry hires over 10 million people in the United States. Every year, it also records fatalities, which account for over 21 percent of all work-related deaths. 991 construction workers lost their lives on the job in 2016 alone. This means that, as a construction worker, you could be at risk of serious work-related injuries.
Learning about the most common types of construction accidents can help you better protect yourself. You can also consult a Union City Personal Injury Attorney to learn about your legal rights.
Causes of Construction Site Accidents
As with most accidents, construction site accidents are mostly caused by negligence. The cause could be a breach of duty of care by an employer, supervisor, or fellow employee. Commonly cited reasons for construction accidents include:
- Insufficient protection from falling objects
- Missing guardrails
- Improper or insufficient fall protection on elevated structures
- Tripping or slipping hazards
- Insufficient training on equipment use
- Defective equipment
- Insufficient safety gear
- Poor precaution protocols
- Unsafe work conditions
How Do Construction Accidents Happen?
Accidents in the workplace can happen for any number of reasons, which means they tend to vary in nature. Some of the most common types of construction accidents include:
- Falls
Working in an elevated structure exposes you to the risk of a fall. Common fall accidents in construction sites include falls from a higher level and on the ground. If you fall from a height, you are more likely to suffer severe injuries.
Falls on the level ground often occur due to the presence of obstacles or slippery conditions on the floor. While they might seem minor, they also have the potential for great harm.
- Struck-By Accidents
A struck-by accident refers to when a worker is hit by an object or moving a construction vehicle. Aside from moving vehicles, falling tools, swinging objects, and cranes can cause severe workplace injuries.
- Burns
Burns in the workspace could be caused by explosions and fires caused by faulty wiring. Some workers might also be exposed to caustic or flammable substances like acids, asphalt, and chemical cleaners. Overall, the best way to protect yourself from such an injury is to wear protective gear.
- Caught-Between Accidents
Caught-between accidents are often severe or fatal. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration describes them as being:
- Suffocated in a cave-in during trench work
- Crushed into a wall by a moving vehicle
- Pulled into machinery after getting too close.
- Cuts
Power tools make construction work easier. However, they could also put you at risk of cuts and amputations. When working with a cutting tool, you could suffer anything from a minor cut to a severed limb. This is especially the case when the tool does not feature guards.
Talk to a Union City Personal Injury Attorney
Construction accidents can happen to anyone. When they do, they can have devastating financial, physical, psychological, and emotional effects. This is why you need the help of an experienced attorney. Besides informing you of your rights, we will also help you get the compensation you deserve.
At the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of injury victims. Attorney Carbone has been handling personal injury cases for over three decades. If you have been injured in New Jersey, contact us at 201-829-3805 to speak to a Union City Personal Injury Attorney.
