Most Common Construction Accidents and Injuries

If you are a construction worker, especially as it gets toward winter, it is important to be cautious. Working in the field of construction can be dangerous. In fact, attorneys at law Powers and Santola assert that construction is responsible for almost 10% of non-fatal injuries. Here is a list of some of the most common construction accidents and injuries.

Falls From High Places

Construction workers are often required to work in high places. Although the person or persons in charge of a project are often responsible for providing safe working conditions, tools, and equipment, when workers are at a great height, sometimes these precautions either fail or are not taken and workers ended up seriously or even fatally injured. The likelihood of a fall increases even more when there is bad weather, or  when the temperature is cold enough for the grip of the workers to be weakened.

Collapsing Buildings

Workers are often working around buildings that are either in the beginning stages of construction, or are being demolished. In these cases poor construction, poor methods, and explosions may cause harm. It is one of the more frightening types of construction accidents and can result in entrapment or death.

Electric Shock

Electrocution or electric shock can happen when a worker is performing his or her job near power lines. It can also be due to wiring that is not encased on the work site. If workers are not careful and are not educated on the proper way to work around and encounter these electrocution risks, injury could take place.

Falling Objects

There is an extreme potential for falling objects at a construction site. This could be anything from construction materials to tools. Sometimes hard hats are not enough protection and a person may be hurt.

Slipping or Carrying Heavy Objects

Even with proper clothing and equipment, slips and falls can happen. In addition, improper technique when lifting and carrying heavy objects can cause back and neck injuries.

Crane Related Injuries

Crane malfunction and collapses are surprisingly one of the more common construction accidents. This happens when the crane falls and injures workers, when the items carried by the crane fall onto people below, or when the crane causes electric shock by striking a power line or other source of electricity. Injuries can also take place if a worker falls from the crane or becomes entrapped by the crane.

Vehicle Accidents

Oftentimes construction workers work at night to avoid the bulk of the traffic. Unfortunately, this can result in vehicle accidents in which the person driving the vehicle is unable to see a person or an object and collides with the person or object. A person can also become stuck in between a vehicle and another solid object, or have their foot run over by the vehicle. Some construction vehicles may also become unbalanced and tip over, or be driven into a trench or hole.

Ladder Malfunction/Falls

Ladder falls happen when the ladder breaks or malfunctions. Ladders can be unstable and as a result the worker could offset the balance and tip the ladder over or fall off. In addition, accidents can happen if a fellow worker fails to stabilize the ladder properly or if it is placed in a precarious area.

Heat or Cold Sickness

Some workers who are working outdoors in the sun and the heat may become fatigued and have a heat stroke. This especially happens if they are not wearing appropriate clothing or not drinking enough water. Illness from the cold can happen as well resulting in hypothermia. Workers can also get frostbite in their fingers, toes, or face from overexposure to the elements. 

Common Injuries Resulting from Construction Accidents

Injuries in the field of construction are many and varied. Some examples are brain injuries from falls and falling objects, broken bones, spinal injuries, concussions, loss of limb, loss of fingers and toes, burns from explosions or chemicals, cuts, loss of eyesight or hearing, and damage to the lungs due to the inhalation from toxic chemicals or dust. In addition it is common for a construction worker to have long term effects of their job resulting in back problems, joint pain, knee problems, and tendonitis.

It is important to remember that if you have sustained any of these types of injuries and feel that the negligence of another person or the company you work for is the cause of your injury, the person responsible may be considered liable. In this case you should consider a lawyer who is experienced in working with this type of situation.