Tragic Types of Construction Accidents That Can Be Prevented

It's no secret that having a job as a construction worker isn't easy. Not only are you waking up early, or working all through the night, but it's physically demanding meaning that it's not the kind of job everybody seeks out. Large construction projects, for example, can take months or even years to complete and despite all this, construction workers often face criticism for not working hard or fast enough. I don't know about you, but for me, that doesn't necessarily sound all too appealing. Still though, there are countless men and women who end up seeking employment in this sector.

One of the benefits to working in construction is that there is a wide variety of projects you can work on. These can include building houses, constructing highways, and even being an ironworker who works on skyscrapers. Regardless of the specific job at hand, being a construction worker can certainly be dangerous.

Construction Fatality Statistics

According to an article from ConstructConnect, the construction industry actually topped the Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries list. The construction industry accounted for 937 worker deaths for the year evaluated, which was the largest number of construction worker deaths since 2008. A whopping 39 percent were related to falls, slips or trips and 24 percent were transportation incidents. Seventeen (17) percent of fatal injuries stemmed from contact with objects and equipment, while 15 percent came about due to exposure to harmful substances or environments. The final five percent came as a result of violence and other injuries by persons or animals (three percent) and because of fires and explosions (two percent).

Fatality statistics are always scary because they point to the worst possible consequence of a situation or accident. But just because a death might not occur following an accident does not mean the consequence is any less severe. If not causing death, construction accidents can lead to traumatizing injuries that leave workers out of work and without pay. It is something that every construction worker is afraid of, whether they voice their concern about it or not. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) understands the dangers related to the roles construction workers have and does its best to advocate for and educate construction workers on ways to remain safe while on the job.

According to an OSHA pocket guide on construction work, almost “6.5 million people work at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the nation on any given day.” The guide also points out that the fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than the national average in this category for all industries. When it comes down to it, what leads to these fatalities and traumatizing injuries? Furthermore, are there ways these accidents can be prevented?

Types of Construction Accidents

There are many different types of situations, job settings and job tasks that play a role in the high number of accidents and subsequent injuries that construction workers face.Potential types of construction accidents include falls, scaffold collapses, trench collapses, electric shock, repetitive motion injuries and failure to use proper personal protective equipment. And, according to OSHA, there are many different things that can be done in an effort to prevent these common incidents from ever taking place.

When it comes to scaffolds erected at a job site, if they are erected incorrectly or not used properly, it can lead to falls or collapses. Nearly 2.3 million construction workers consistently work on scaffolding, making their protection important to the point where it could prevent an estimated 50 fatalities and 4,500 injuries each year.

Steps to Eliminate Construction Accidents

There are multiple steps construction workers should take when erecting and using scaffolding. First and foremost, it should be put up on solid footing and should be“sound, rigid and sufficient to carry its own weight plus four times the maximum intended load without settling or displacement.” Scaffolding should also be equipped with guardrails, midrails and toeboards. The scaffolding should be inspected regularly to make sure it meets safety standards throughout its use. Construction workers should also be educated on the use and build of scaffolding and understand its hazards.

While things like scaffolding, stairways and ladders can all lead to accidents related to falls, slips and trips, there are other protections to help protect construction workers. According to OSHA, falls make up the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry. Variables that can lead to falls include unstable working surfaces, failure to use fall protection equipment and, of course, human error.

One way to help construction workers prevent a fall would be to use an aerial lift or elevated platform to provide safer elevated working surfaces. Workers should also erect guardrail systems with warning lines and toeboards, especially for workers near the edges of floors and roofs. A third way to help prevent a fall would be to use safety net systems or personal fall arrest systems, which are known as body harnesses.

When it comes to ladders, it is important to use the right ladder for the job and make sure the ladder is long enough to safely reach the work area. Ladders should also be inspected regularly, and defective ones should be marked as defective or discarded.

Stairways should always be kept clean of materials, debris and other dangerous objects. They should also have treads that cover the entire step and landing. These preventative measures can help prevent the 24,882 estimated injuries caused by falls on stairways and ladders each year.

Like scaffolding, trench collapses may occur if they are not properly erected and reinforced. It is important to look to a registered professional engineer to develop a protective system for trenches 20 feet deep or more.

Electrical safety is also important and can lend a hand in preventing electric shock. Things like making sure all power is shut off and grounds are attached before working on energized electrical circuits is important to safety.

Many other injuries that occur on construction sites can be traced back to human error. Maybe a construction worker was not properly instructed on how to operate a certain piece of equipment, leading to an injury. Human error can also fall on the manufacturer of a tool or machine that ended up being defective, leading to an accident that resulted in an injury or death.

Again, OSHA stresses the importance of protective gear and systems and how being knowledgeable about the tasks at hand can lead to the safest possible work environment. Construction sites are historically dangerous, but that does not mean they have to be dangerous. Be part of the solution.