Most construction workers in Illinois and Indiana already understand the level of danger that their job entails. While you are entitled to a safe working environment, more than 1,000 construction workers die due to work-related accidents every year. Understanding the most common causes of construction accidents may help you avoid them.
Falls cause the most frequent construction injuries
Many construction or warehouse accidents occur when a worker falls from a great height. Typically falls involve equipment such as:
- Ladders
- Cranes
- Roofs
- Scaffolding
Your construction company faces potential legal ramifications if they do not provide adequate fall protection.
Construction workers are often injured by falling objects
Construction accidents may occur as a result of the worker being struck by a falling object. These types of accidents occur due to the loose debris and heavy equipment found at most construction sites.
Frequent use of electrical tools exposes workers to electrocution
Construction jobs may also require workers to handle a variety of electronic devices or work near live wires. Both of these can lead to electrocution accidents. Other causes of electrocution include:
- Striking underground power lines with equipment
- Overloaded extension cords
- Electrical units exposed to water
- Lack of proper fuses or breakers
- Lack of proper grounding
Heavy equipment creates many unsafe working conditions
Construction workers may get caught between equipment. Their limbs may also get caught in between parts of a machine. The need to use complex and dangerous equipment poses a serious risk to construction workers, especially those without proper training.
Death and serious injuries are common parts of the construction industry
Broken bones, spinal cord industries, and traumatic brain injuries are common ailments that occur as a result of construction industry accidents. These accidents can cause long-term financial, mental, and physical difficulties. Choices such as workers’ compensation and personal injury lawsuits have statutes of limitations attached, so you must act quickly if you are considering these paths.