The construction industry is one of the most dangerous in the United States, and every single day, construction workers are required to work in high-risk environments exposing them to potentially deadly hazards.
Around 20% of work-related fatalities took place in the construction industry in 2016, according to a report from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Houston construction site accident lawyers at West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen, MD, JD have collected the four most common causes of construction-related injuries. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a deadly workplace accident, contact us today to discuss your case. We will review your claim and help determine if you are eligible for lost compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Falls
When a construction worker loses their balance and falls from an elevated surface, fall accidents occur. OSHA estimated that fall accidents contributed to 384 out of 991 construction-related fatalities in 2016 alone.
A fall accident can cause serious injuries, such as permanent disability. The most severe injuries resulting from a fall accident include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Head injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Muscle and soft tissue damage
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
Struck-By
Struck-by accidents involve objects that fall and hit a construction worker. When this happens, the worker may suffer from severe or fatal injuries. In 2016, OSHA estimated that struck-by accidents were involved in nearly 93 workplace deaths.
If proper safety nettings and measures at the work site are not in place, the risk of a struck-by accident is greater. Workers usually do not expect a falling object and can potentially suffer from serious injuries including:
- TBI
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Broken bones
- Bruising
- Lacerations
Caught Between
Heavy machinery and other construction site dangers put workers at risk of being caught in or between equipment, and these accidents contributed to 72 construction accident deaths in 2016 alone, according to OSHA.
When workers are involved in a caught-in or between accident, they are caught or crushed by massive machinery, falling equipment, or collapsing structures while on the construction site.
Caught between accidents can result in life-threatening injuries, such as crush injuries or limb removal. In serious cases, caught-between accidents can be deadly.
Electrocution
According to OSHA, there were an estimated 82 workplace fatalities on construction sites due to electroction in 2016. There are many electrical hazards presnet on construction sites, including:
- Faulty wiring
- Power tools
- Lighting systems
- Defective equipment
- Dangerous weather conditions
Appropriate safety precautions must be followed by employers in order to prevent electrocution injuries on the job. Loose or broken wiring should be properly handled and machinery must be used by capable workers.
How Employers Can Prevent Houston Construction Accidents
In order to prevent workplace accidents and deaths on construction sites, employers must take the following steps to reduce hazards:
- Provide safety training to all workers
- Review health and safety policies for all worksites
- Hold crew safety meetings periodically, particularly on high-risk jobsites
- Protective equipment and clothing should be issued to all workers, including hard hats, high-visibility clothing, eyewear, steel-toed boots, and sun protection
- Clear jobsites of debris that could cause slip and fall accidents
- Maintain and inspect machinery and equipment periodically and test for safety prior to use
- Implement fall protection systems that are routinely inspected, including guardrails, toe boards, screens, netting, canopies, and scaffolds
- Practice vehicle safety measures including defensive driving, safe backing and parking practices on all construction sites
- Only use heavy equipment as intended
- Adhere to OSHA safety guidelines for the workplace
- Report and correct hazards and OSHA violations immediately
Construction Accident Lawyers Houston
If you or a loved one has been severely injured in a construction site accident, you need to know that you are not alone. You have rights, and West Loop Law and the Law Office of Nhan Nguyen MD, JD has the knowledge and experience to make sure your rights are protected. Nhan Nguyen, Nader Rabie, and our entire team of Houston personal injury lawyers will fight tirelessly to pursue the compensation you need to cover your damages including medical bills, lost wages, pain and injury, and other expenses related to your accident. Give us a call today at 713-840-7200 to discuss your case with a lawyer who cares.
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