Construction accidents often occur while workers are at a job site; however, the accidents are, in most cases, avoidable. In 2020, there were 174,100 instances of injuries or illnesses in the construction industry, and 74,500 of those accidents resulted in days being taken away from work. Common injuries sustained in a construction accident include:
- Chemical exposure illness
- Back and/or spinal cord injuries
- Burns
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Brain or head trauma
- Eye injury or vision damage
Construction Site Safety Tips
Construction Safety Week is May 2nd-6th, 2022. This week aims to encourage people, companies, and the construction industry itself to refocus on, reexamine, and recommit to safety guidelines. In showing our support for construction industry employees and industry safety, here are some tips that can be implemented or reinforced to create a safer work environment on construction sites.
- Conduct regular safety meetings. To reduce the number of accidents and protect workers, you can encourage your project manager to brief everyone regarding safety measures, new hazards on the job site, and other important safety information.
- Ensure all employees wear proper protective gear. To protect yourself as a construction worker, you should always wear protective gear, such as a hard hat, protective eyewear, slip-resistant boots, heavy-duty gloves, etc.
- Ensure electrical safety. Electrocutions are one of the leading causes of construction accident fatalities and injuries. To reduce the risk of an electrical accident, new (or existing) electrical circuits should have grounds attached, and the power should be cut off; damaged electrical cables should never be used; and scaffolds or ladders should be kept away from overhead electrical lines.
- Inspect your machinery and tools regularly. If a machine or tool is defective, it should be reported and properly labeled/set aside. To ensure faulty equipment or tolls are found, inspections should be performed regularly. If you work on a job site with scaffolding or trenches, extra precautions and inspections should occur during times of inclement weather as slippery conditions or vibrations from a storm can be hazardous.
- Discuss potential chemical (or health) hazards. If there will be chemicals, fires, explosives, or respiratory agitators, everyone on the job site should be informed and trained concerning the safety instructions, clean-up procedures, storage requirements, etc.
- Encourage everyone to wear highly visible clothing. You want your co-workers and passersby to be able to see you clearly. A part of your protective gear may be a reflective vest, but you can also wear brighter colors to ensure your visibility.
- Protect yourself from sunlight fatigue. Being exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods often causes fatigue, and it is dangerous to work at a diminished level of productivity and strength. Wearing long sleeves and hats can protect you from the sun.
- Practice and promote a healthy diet. It is important that you remain hydrated if you are working on a construction site; instead of drinking energy drinks, coffee, or soda, you should drink water and/or electrolyte replacements. To prevent drowsiness after meals, you should also consider avoiding high-fat or carb-heavy meals.
- Use caution when operating vehicles or machines. If you operate machinery or vehicles on the site, you should practice driving, parking, and/or backing up. You should also use warning lights and a spotter when needed.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a construction accident, the team at Michael Doyle, Attorney at Law can help you file a workers’ compensation claim and fight for fair compensation. To schedule a free case evaluation, contact us online or call (505) 219-2176.