The construction industry provides lucrative career opportunities for many people. While you can make a good living working construction, it can also be a very dangerous industry to work in. If you don’t take the proper precautions, you could suffer serious injuries. Here are some of the most common construction site accidents.
Electrocution
Construction workers often have to work with various electrical equipment on the job. If the electrical equipment isn’t designed properly or is used incorrectly, it can cause serious injuries, like burns, nerve damage and cardiac arrest. Employees can minimize the risk of electrocution by maintaining a safe distance from energized parts and wearing personal protective equipment.
Falls
In construction, workers frequently do their jobs from elevated areas, like roofs and ladders. If they don’t take proper precautions, workers are in danger from falling from these heights and suffering head injuries and other life-threatening injuries. To prevent falls, construction workers should wear proper footwear and use fall protection equipment, like safety net systems and guardrail systems.
Machine Entanglement
Heavy machinery is necessary to perform multiple jobs in the construction industry. However, these machines can cause debilitating injuries if they’re not used correctly. Employees should always be alert when using these machines and never take shortcuts. They should never place their body parts near moving parts or wear jewelry.
Getting Hit By a Vehicle
Construction workers who work on highway construction sites must be extra aware of oncoming vehicles. Not all drivers follow the speed limit or may become distracted and hit a construction worker.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents can occur in many work environments, including construction sites. If tools, debris and other materials are scattered throughout a construction site, workers are at risk of tripping over them and getting hurt. They may suffer head injuries, broken bones and other injuries. To prevent these accidents, workers should clear clutter regularly and watch where they’re walking.
Sun Exposure
Construction workers are expected to go to work, no matter what the weather is like. However, working outdoors when the temperatures are scorching hot can be dangerous. Workers may suffer heat stroke, which can lead to life-threatening complications. To prevent illness from the heat, construction workers should wear light clothes, drink plenty of water and put on sunscreen.
If you were injured in a construction accident, contact a construction accident lawyer, like one from Rispoli & Borneo P.C.