Building sites are rife with hazards, making the construction industry one of the nation’s most dangerous professions. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions that construction workers have a 300 percent greater likelihood of sustaining fatal occupation-related injuries compared to employees working in other sectors.
It is no secret that construction workers put their lives on the line every day as they face the risk of equipment malfunction, falling debris, scaffold collapses and every mishap in between. Regardless of what type of machinery used on the job, proper training and safety should always be the number one priority.
Most dangerous construction site equipment
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an estimated 6.5 million people work at building sites across the country on any given day.
Some of the most hazardous tools and equipment at construction sites include:
- Ladders – Nearly 25,000 construction site injuries and more than two dozen death each year are attributed to falls on ladders or stairways used on construction projects. Roughly half of ladder-related injuries were serious enough to warrant medical treatment and extended time off of work.
- Saws – Motorized circular saws, chain saws and table saws are common on just about every type of work site. Despite built-in safety features, this type of machinery is responsible for some of the most gruesome injuries, including deep lacerations, loss of fingers and even limbs.
- Scaffolds – scaffold collapses, falls and failures frequently make headlines, as these accidents often result in catastrophic injury or death. Scaffold-related accidents account for at least 50 construction accident deaths every year, reports OSHA, and another annual 4,500 injuries. When scaffolds are not regularly inspected, maintained or equipped with guardrails and toeboards, contractors and other entities may face legal liability.
- Nail guns and power drills – Staple and nail guns have explosive force, and any mistake or mishap in use can cause major injury to oneself or a co-worker. Along these lines, power drills can pierce through skin and bone, or cause third-degree burns.
- Cranes – Year after year, falls from heights account for the highest number of construction site deaths in the U.S. However, crane operators and those who work around cranes are also at risk of serious injury. In some cases, workers are struck by the crane’s arm during operation, electrocuted when the boom makes contact with a power line, or are crushed beneath the machine when heavy winds topple over an improperly-secured crane.
Get legal help after a construction injury
Statistically speaking, Louisiana sees its fair share of construction site accidents and fatalities. Every year, dozens of workers suffer life-threatening harm or fatal injury resulting from the malfunction, inadequate training or improper use of machinery and equipment.
If you live in the Lafayette or greater Baton Rouge areas, chances are you probably know someone who works in construction. When tragedy strikes, and negligence is suspected, it’s vital to retain the counsel of an experienced attorney. To schedule a free case evaluation with a talented Lafayette construction accident lawyer, contact Bart Bernard Personal Injury Lawyers. During a private consultation, we can determine if you have grounds for pursuing a worker’s compensation or personal injury claim.
Reach out to any of our three Louisiana office locations toll-free by dialing 1-888-GET-BART.
Additional Resources on Construction Site Dangers:
- OSHA, Construction Worker Safety https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3252/3252.html
- Inside Paper Trail, Construction: The 10 Most Common Health and Safety Risks http://blog.papertrail.io/construction-safety-risks/#.Wlz8I6inFPY
- ConstructConnect, 10 Construction Site Safety Tips https://www.constructconnect.com/blog/construction-safety/10-construction-site-safety-tips/
