There is no question that construction work is rewarding to the people in this industry. However, the construction industry also can be dangerous stemming from on-site injuries that may prove life-changing as well as deadly.
The slightest mistake by a colleague or an oversight by your employer can lead to injuries such as loss of a finger, loss of a limb, fractures and crushed bones, head trauma, internal bleeding, burns and spinal cord damage. Slips, trips and falls are among the most common injuries among construction workers.
Construction accounted for second-most worker fatalities in 2021
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. in 2021 reported 5,190 fatal work injuries. Workers in construction and extraction accounted for 951 deaths or 18.3% of all work-related fatalities.
The construction and extraction industry accounted for the second-most fatalities among all occupations. It only trailed driver/sales workers and truck drivers who accounted for nearly 20% of the work-related fatalities.
Slips, trips and falls among the ‘Focus Four Hazards’
Slips, trips and falls are among the quartet of construction injuries known as the “Focus Four Hazards.” The other three include struck by an object, electrocution and caught in something or between objects.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Focus Four Hazards annually account for almost 60% of all construction fatalities. In 2021, slips, trips and falls accounted for 370 deaths in the construction industry, representing nearly 39% of all construction deaths.
Falls can happen at any time from great heights or even by tripping over a misplaced tool in your walking path. This is why employers must protect workers in the construction industry by providing proper training in handling equipment and tools as well as giving them the necessary personal protective equipment.
Seek guidance from an attorney
If you have been injured in a construction accident, you may face scores of medical bills along with missed work time. Your family depends on your paycheck, but under these circumstances, you may not see one for a long time. That is why it is essential that you seek guidance from an attorney to get the compensation that you deserve.