Injuries incurred on a construction site can be some of the most dangerous of any job. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 1 in 10 construction workers are severely hurt every year.
However, not every injury is the same and some don’t become obvious until much later.
Situations to watch out for
These are some injuries workers may want to be aware of:
- Falling from high heights: Construction workers often have to work on top of large objects, which can increase their risk of falling. Some objects they could wound themselves on include scaffolding cranes, ladders, roofs or beams.
- Injuries from construction vehicles: There are several machines put to use on a construction site. Some of those include front loaders, back loaders, bulldozers, dump trucks and cranes. As these vehicles are often large and very powerful, those who work with them can increase their chances of getting hurt. Injuries can occur due to technical failures or a supervisor’s negligence.
- Getting hit by falling objects: As heavy items often need to be lifted, construction workers can incur injuries from falling objects. Even if workers are wearing the proper protective gear, they can still face debilitating wounds depending on the circumstances. Some examples of falling objects can include tools, pipes, beams or even another worker on site.
- Hazardous and explosive chemicals: Development sites can often be high-risk areas for explosions to occur. Workers may want to be on the lookout for flammable chemicals, leaking pipes, exposed wiring and other materials that could put them in danger.
- Repetitive motion injuries: Construction often requires long hours of repetitive and intense physical labor. Over time, workers could be damaging overused parts of their body. These injuries can cause inflammation and other types of pain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Workers have options for compensation
When construction workers are hurt on the job, it can create severe hardships for them and their families. For construction workers injured on-site and need the funds necessary to pay for their medical bills, an experienced construction litigation attorney could help take their case to court and get them and their families the compensation they deserve.