Why Construction is So Dangerous
The construction industry is consistently rated among having the most fatalities in any sector in the American workforce. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), about one out of every five occupation deaths in the United States private sector in 2019 was in the construction industry. One thousand sixty-one construction workers died that year.
Far more were seriously injured, and many of these injury victims will be unable to work again. The financial costs of construction accidents are staggering. The emotional costs to workers, families, friends, and loved ones can be even more significant.
But why, exactly, are construction sites so dangerous? There are many factors that lead to the high rate of construction accidents. First, much of the work is done at high levels, which increases the risk of falls. OSHA reports that falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry.
Second, many sites use scaffolding and other temporary structural supports. If these are not properly erected and maintained, they can collapse and cause serious injuries - or even death. Third, construction sites often have heavy machinery.
Cranes, dump trucks,
and other large equipment can cause severe accidents if they are not used safely. Even smaller machinery - like a backhoe or a baler - can still cause severe injuries if workers are not trained and appropriately supervised. And finally, a lot of construction work involves electricity in some form.
This fact increases the chance of electrocution and electrical burns. Gas leaks can also cause injuries, and workers are in danger any time utilities are being disconnected or reconnected.
But which of these hazards are most common? OSHA has identified the four most common causes of fatal construction accidents.
With targeted education campaigns and research, OSHA aims to reduce these “Fatal Four” hazards in order to decrease the number of construction fatalities. Business and Learning Resources reports on these factors. In order from highest to least number of deaths caused, they are:
- Falls
- Being struck by an object
- Electrocution
- Caught in or between machinery
The “Fatal Four” account for the majority of construction fatalities every year. These common hazards lead to some of the most common types of construction accidents, and the experienced accident lawyers at Arash Law are familiar with these hazards.