Some construction incidents are the result of workers making questionable choices. Irresponsible conduct while operating heavy machinery or cutting corners when using safety equipment can have tragic consequences.
Other times, outside forces, including gravity and inclement weather, can contribute to the risk of workers getting hurt at a construction site. Gravity-related incidents are actually among the leading causes of injury and death in the construction sector.
The three types of incidents below are all caused by gravity, and companies may need to establish safety practices to limit worker risk.
1. Falls
If a construction worker falls while working, they could sustain severe injuries. Even a fall from a first-story roof could lead to broken bones, spinal cord injuries and brain injuries. Falls can also prove fatal. Proper safety harnesses and scaffolding can reduce the risk of falls.
2. Struck-by incidents
Construction workers bring tools and materials to the elevated job sites where they work. If a professional drops a power tool from three stories up, it could cause severe or fatal injuries to a worker below them in a struck-by incident. The proper use of tethers for tools and supplies can reduce the risk of struck-by incidents involving falling objects.
3. Trench cave-ins
Gravity and issues with soil combined to create dangerous conditions for workers below grade. Workers in trenches are at significant risk of caught-between incidents if the walls of the trench cave in while they work.
Construction professionals who suffer on-the-job injuries may need help seeking compensation for their medical costs and lost wages. Discussing the circumstances that led to a construction injury can help professionals understand their options.