The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that there are many work accidents, and most of them take place at construction places. OSHA makes a classification of the causes of fatal accidents in the workplace (in the private sector and excluding accidents on the roads), in what they call the four fatal accidents related to falls, blows by objects, electrocution and getting caught between objects.

The improvement of safety, health and working conditions depends ultimately on the collaboration of people who work together, whether employers or workers. Safety management includes the functions of planning, identification of problem areas, coordination, control and management of safety activities on site, all of them in order to prevent accidents and diseases.

It is often misunderstood what accident prevention means, since most people mistakenly believe that “accident” equals “injury”, which presupposes that an accident is unimportant unless it causes an injury. Construction managers are obviously concerned about workers’ injuries, but their main concern should be the dangerous conditions that cause them, the “incident” rather than the “injury” itself. In a construction site there are many more “incidents” than injuries.

If you need any type of assistance or equipment to complete a construction work or anything you can contact us now. Here at Construction Safety Albury you will find everything you need.

Falls

Falls are attributed as the cause of the greatest number of fatal accidents at construction sites by almost 40 percent. This is because in many cases the constructions are made at a certain height and consequently the falls can be very dangerous. Stairs, cranes and other heavy machinery play a very important role in construction, and if these are not installed, used or are properly maintained, they can cause fatal injuries.

The most frequent cause and with the highest percentage of fatalities of all types of construction accidents are falls. Either by a stumble and fall or a slip and fall from a scaffold, ledge or ladder, the use of inappropriate footwear, or simply when walking through an area in slippery construction.

Slips, trips and falls continue to be one of the leading causes of death from work-related injuries. It is essential that workers and their employers are especially vigilant and do everything necessary to prevent this type of construction accident.

Getting hit by an object

As well as falls, accidents caused by falling objects in construction is one of the major causes of accidents at work, causing ten percent of fatal accidents at construction sites.

It should be mentioned that heavy machinery, construction materials and debris are always found in these places, when these elements are not carefully monitored by means of safety plans, significant risks to workers may occur. That is why the use of the helmet is the first safety measure that workers must follow to avoid injury or even death in the places under construction.

Construction workers risk being hit or crushed by objects that fall on them. Sometimes when those objects tools or building materials are not adequately insured. This can lead to brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, even if a protective helmet is worn.

But it is not only the objects that fall the cause of these deaths due to accidents at work in construction. A blow caused by a truck, a crane or other heavy machinery can also cause death.

Electrocution

If you are thinking about high voltage cables when you read about this kind of accident and doubt its frequency, you are wrong. In construction it is very common to throw a wall down and meet electrical wires. Not to mention the danger of the amount of electrical machinery with its cables watered on the floor.

This factor occupies nine percent of fatal accidents, almost compared to accidents caused by hitting objects. In construction sites, you can always find electrical equipment and components, as well as wiring, these factors make people in buildings are prone to electrocution accidents.

When there is no necessary equipment or safety mechanisms in place to protect workers from electrical accidents, the result can be catastrophic.

Being caught by objects

As explained above, heavy machinery, equipment and materials are used in construction, and all these elements present a great risk to construction workers. When a worker is trapped by such objects, there is a high risk of fatal injuries, OSHA estimates that seven percent of these accidents have a fatal outcome. When construction companies do not maintain adequate safety conditions for heavy machinery, they put the lives and future of their workers at risk.

This type of construction accident also refers to workers who die when they are caught or crushed by equipment or when a structure, equipment or work material collapses.

The worker may be trapped by machinery by losing stability due to unsafe conditions in the area where he works. Other work areas may have unstable floors by nature, such as ditches or excavations. Consequently, an object or a team can get to catch or crush the construction worker.

Work safety measures

Construction work is a dangerous job, despite this, the employer is obliged to comply with federal and state safety measures in the workplace. It is important to emphasize that accidents that are caused by falling objects, electrocution or getting caught by objects represent the greatest risks at work.

Protect yourself: Avoid Accidents

Deliberately neglecting the safety procedures established in the workplace not only endanger the person who does not comply with them, but also their co-workers and even the company they work for. But it is very common in the Hispanic community that bosses do not take all possible and due security measures towards Hispanic workers in construction. Especially when it comes to undocumented workers. Do not expose yourself to these types of accidents and take all precautions.

If you, an acquaintance or a loved one suffered a work accident, know that you can receive additional compensation for present and future consequences – in addition to being able to file a claim for workers’ compensation to pay for medical expenses. Remember that undocumented workers also have rights.

Companies like Construction Safety Albury are concerned about providing efficiency and safety to perform any type of work at heights, complying with the technical standards and corresponding accreditations.