Frequent construction site accidents and how to avoid them

Working on a construction site can be an extremely dangerous job. In fact, several hundred people have lost their lives while working in or being on a construction site in 2016 alone in the United States.  The ‘Fatal Four’ are the top four leading causes of construction site injuries and deaths in America every year. These are:

• Falling
• Being stuck by an object
• Electrocutions
• Caught-in/between*

*This means that the worker was caught-in/compressed by objects or equipment. They were then struck, caught, or crushed in a collapsing structure, equipment, or material.  These accidents can lead to:

• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Back or Neck injuries
• Spinal chord injury
• Brain injury
• Blindness
• Deafness
• Amputated limbs
• Death

One thing is more shocking than the ‘Fatal Four’, and that is how many deaths are caused by them each year. In 2015, 364 workers died from falls, 90 from being struck by an object, 81 from electrocutions, and 67 from caught-in/betweens. Then numbers have only gotten worse just one year later. In 2016, 384 workers died from falls, 93 from being struck by an object, 82 from electrocutions, and 72 from caught-in/betweens.  The total number of ‘Fatal Four’ deaths each calendar year equals more than half of all construction worker deaths. Out of all occupations’ work-related deaths, construction deaths make up over 20 percent. That means one in five workplace deaths are from construction alone, which is also the highest of all the industries.

Causes of the ‘Fatal Four’  Falls: 

• Misuse of ladders
• Unguarded, protruding steel bars
• Improper scaffold construction
• Unprotected sides, wall openings, and/or floor holes

Being struck by an object: 

• Masonry walls
• Falling/flying objects
• Vehicles

Electrocutions: 

• Lack of ground-fault
• Contact with power lines
• Improper use of equipment and cords
• Path to ground missing or discontinuous

Caught-in/betweens: 

• unsafe spoil-pile placement
• Unsafe access/egress
• Failure to inspect trench and protective systems
• No protective systems

How to prevent accidents for all of you construction workers  

Equipment:  ToolsCritic.com recommends that all hand tools and equipment non-machine-operated should be cleaned and properly stored away in a designated area after being used,. Before use, be it hand tool or machine, all equipment should be checked to make sure they are in proper working order. By taking a few extra minutes doing this, you’re eliminating the risk for faulty equipment and accidents that are caused by equipment laying around.

Following safety guides and training:  The safety guides and training all employers are required to give are designed and set in place by OSHA, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. These are specifically for the health of every construction worker.

Staying alert:  With any job, it is necessary to pay attention to your work, but construction workers need to pay extra attention. Others may mess up a task, but construction workers could lose a lot more. By paying attention to your surroundings, watching for anything falling, making special note of any possible hazards, you’ll increase your chance of going home safe and sound.  Extra precautions:

Say what you see. If there are unsafe working conditions, don’t be afraid to tell your employer. It’s part of your job. Doing so can save your life or someone else’s.

Take a break. It’s easy to get exhausted, especially when working in construction. Eating, staying hydrated and allowing the body even a few minutes of rest can keep you and other construction workers to stay focused and more alert to what’s happening.

See and be seen. You won’t be the only one on site, usually. Wearing bright color clothing, as well as a neon vest, can keep you visible to others. This is important because accidents aren’t only a one person event. People can run into each other, be throwing things around the site, or a number of other factors that could trigger an accident. So make sure to make yourself easily seen and to see others.

Put up signs. It’s common to put up signs around the site for high-risk areas. Whether it is because of a high voltage area, an area where debris will fall, or another reason, putting up a sign can alert others and remind yourself to stay clear of the area or to be extra cautious. Remember to look for them as well, since others may have put up a sign.  Remember, if you have an accident or see someone else have one while on site, follow the appropriate steps to seek immediate medical attention for the worker. Accidents can and do happen, but the numbers can become a fraction of what they are now if these measures are taken.