The Leading Causes of Construction Accidents and How to Prevent Them

In 2018 5,250 workers died on the job according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA. One out of every five workplace deaths involves a worker in the construction industry.

This article will go over the leading causes of construction accidents to help you stay vigilant.

Falls and Spills

Falls accounted for 338 out of 1,008 total deaths in the construction industry in 2018. This type of injury occurs when workers step backward or sideways in a construction area without looking. It also commonly occurs when stairwells have no guardrails. Since many construction sites are at higher elevations a fall can be catastrophic.

This construction site accident can result in injury or death. If workers were provided with proper protection from falls these injuries could be avoided.

Spills can also occur in unsafe working conditions when the ground is wet and slippery. Take caution to clean up water on the ground at construction sites to avoid spills and slips.

Hit by Objects

One of the most common causes of construction accidents happens when workers are struck by objects on the job site. According to OSHA, 112 workers were stuck by objects and died in 2018.

These deaths could have been prevented if workers who had undergone proper training. A construction accident prevention plan should be in place at your worksite. This reminds workers to use tool guards, personal protection equipment, debris nets, and catch platforms.

If your construction site isn’t using safety equipment to prevent accidents contact a construction accident lawyer.

Electrocution at Construction Sites

It is very sad to learn that 86 construction workers were killed by electrocution in 2018. When a person, tool, or piece of equipment comes in contact with power lines or exposed electrical sources the result is seldom good.

This construction accident can occur if workers are unaware of power sources overhead or underground. Damage to receptacles and connectors can also cause electrocution.

Use caution when carrying metal pieces of equipment such as ladders because they could strike overhead powerlines. Also, know where all underground lines are before you start digging.

Getting Pinned In-Between

Sometimes construction workers are too caught up in the task at hand to notice they are putting themselves in danger. Standing between a piece of heavy machinery and an immovable object can result in workers getting pinned or caught in between items on site.

This can cause serious injuries and in 2018 it caused 55 deaths. Caught in between or pinned in between accidents occur when a worker’s body part is caught, crushed, or pinched between two objects.

This is one of the common construction accidents and their causes are many. Cave-ins or collapsing materials, body parts getting stuck in equipment, or equipment rollovers are all common at construction sites. Always take proper precautions to avoid getting pinned in between at construction sites.

Know the Common Causes of Construction Accidents

Construction sites can be dangerous work environments. Always use proper precautions to avoid these common causes of construction accidents.

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