There is a significant risk of injury to anyone who works in the construction industry. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were just over 3 million nonfatal workplace injuries reported in 2009. Of those, 9 percent were incurred in the construction industry. Of those injuries sustained, 22 percent were due to falls. Here are the most common causes of accidents in the construction trade.
Falls
This is, without a doubt, the most common cause of injury among construction workers. Whether falling from great heights or just a few feet off of the ground, falls can cause catastrophic injury.
Falling Objects
Falling objects strike construction workers by the hundreds. When objects are not properly secured, they can easily fall to the ground, striking innocent people on their way. Falling objects can result in a variety of injuries, from minor scrapes to serious head trauma.
Equipment
Improperly used or maintained equipment is a third cause of injury among construction workers. If a forklift fails to work properly, the driver can be seriously injured. Any equipment that is unsafe should be taken out of the fleet immediately and repaired or discarded properly.
Compression
Compression injuries occur when a worker is caught between two objects. These may be vehicles, walls or concrete. Compression injuries can result in fractures, tissue trauma and internal damage.
Collapses
Trenches that are being built need to be supported to prevent collapse. Buildings that are being demolished can quickly collapse in an unexpected way. The cause of accidents such as this may be negligence or error. They typically occur when safety protocols are not followed correctly.
Respiratory Diseases
Construction workers work in chronically dusty and dirty conditions. These particles are breathed into the lungs and can cause serious disease. From 1990 to 1999, there were more than 1,000 workers pronounced dead of pneumoconiosis. It’s a condition legally defined as chronic dust disease.
If you have suffered illness or injury as a result of your work in the construction industry, you may be able to file a personal injury claim or workers’ compensation in North Carolina. You won’t know what you may qualify for unless you contact an experienced construction site accident lawyer like Auger & Auger. Call today and a member of our team will provide you with a free case evaluation.