Construction worker deaths and injuries happen far too often in Nashville, Tennessee. The construction industry has always been regarded as one of the most dangerous industries to work in, and the negligence of some employers only increases the number of injuries and construction fatalities.
Usually, construction worker fatalities and serious injuries are a result of OSHA's fatal four hazards, which have been identified as the leading causes of all construction site accidents.
Often, construction workers may feel like they have no one to turn to for assistance after being injured at a job site, but this is not true. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is here to go to war for victims (or their loved ones) of construction site fatalities and injuries.
Expert personal injury attorneys are just one call away, at +1 901-910-1923. Construction site accident victims should contact us today and schedule a free consultation. They can advise on what type of accident kills the most construction site.
Construction Site "Fatal Four" Hazards
Data obtained from construction sites and emergency rooms across the country over the years suggests that most construction fatalities and serious injuries sustained by workers can be linked to the following "fatal four" leading causes:
Fall Hazards
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), describes a fall as anything that can cause a person to lose balance or bodily support resulting in them falling. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fall hazards remain the leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry, accounting for more than a third of annual cases.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has information on what causes the most falls in construction. The most dangerous types of falls are those that happen from heights due to a wide range of reasons, such as:
Lack of personal fall arrest equipment
Inadequate fall protection
Poorly constructed working spaces
Failure to use safety equipment and techniques
Struck by an Object
Being struck by an object can cause serious injury and accounts for about 10% of all construction site accidents. These so-called "struck by" accidents can be fatal if the victim is struck in the head by flying objects.
There are many reasons why construction site fatalities caused by flying or swinging objects are part of OSHA's fatal four, such as:
Misplaced objects
Malfunctioning equipment
Loose materials
Rigging failures
Objects struck by moving vehicles
Electrical Hazards (Such as Overhead Power Lines)
Accounting for just 8.6% of all accidents on construction sites, electrical hazards are not as dangerous as falls or falling objects. However, they still happen quite often and can easily result in fatalities.
Being electrocuted by overhead power lines is a very common way of experiencing this type of accident, while other potential electrical hazards include:
Poorly maintained extension cords
Wet conditions close to electrical equipment
Exposed electrical wires (for example, on underground power lines)
Not knowing how to operate portable electric tools
Absence of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as insulated gloves
"Caught Between" Accidents
"Caught between" accidents account for the least number of injuries and fatalities of the "fatal four." Only 2.5% of all construction site fatalities and injuries are attributed to caught-between accidents.
Common types of caught-in-between accidents include being stuck between collapsing structures, rotating equipment, or other moving machinery.
How To Increase Occupational Safety on Construction Sites
Construction deaths can be avoided, or at least reduced, because most of the accidents that occur are due to negligence by the employer or the employees working on the job site.
While a good construction accident lawyer can help victims seek fair compensation for injuries sustained while working on a construction site, it's better to avoid the pain and suffering by doing the following:
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Proper PPE can save the lives of workers who are routinely exposed to construction hazards. Depending on the nature of the job, personal protective equipment can come in many forms, such as:
Fire resistant overalls
Helmets, goggles, and safety shoes
Fall protection harnesses
Insulated gloves for protecting workers from electrical energy
It is the responsibility of the employer to make sure that all workers have an adequate supply of PPE. Failure to do so may result in a lawsuit if a worker gets injured or killed while working without proper safety equipment.
Prioritize Safety Procedures
While working or operating equipment on construction sites, it is important that an adequate protective system is in place, and that workers stick to the safety procedures. A written version of all safety protocols should be made available to the workers, while regular training sessions and safety drills are conducted.
One of the best ways to make sure all employees are on the same page regarding safety is to hold daily or weekly safety talks where various hazards and protocols are discussed. Workers at excavation sites, for example, could meet every morning to remind each other of the risks associated with their job site due to the presence of heavy equipment and electrical tools.
Stay Focused
Even with all proper safety protocols in place, one of the leading causes of construction site accidents is distracted workers. It is important for construction companies to regularly remind employees to stay focused and aware of their surroundings whenever they are on site.
When working with power tools or other dangerous machinery, it is important to avoid distractions, such as listening to music. In summer, employees can easily get drowsy because of the heat, so frequent water breaks are encouraged.
Employers also need to avoid making employees work for long hours without rest because fatigue also plays a big part.
An Experienced Lawyer Can Help Injured Construction Workers
Construction work sites are very dangerous environments to work in. Despite all the protective systems in place to keep workers safe, accidents do happen.
In Tennessee, victims of construction site accidents are entitled to compensation for their workplace injuries. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has many years of experience helping workers sue for damages covering:
Medical bills
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Wrongful deaths
Loss of earning potential
Lifetime disability
Future medical costs
Going against employers and their insurance companies is not easy without an experienced, compassionate, and determined personal injury attorney to fight for the victim's rights. The expert team of lawyers at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is ready to go to war for its clients!