Top 5 Safety Hazards on Construction Sites

According to the Workers’ Compensation Act, workplace safety is critical for every industry, but more so for the construction industry, where workers face several hazards every day, which include some of the following.

Slips and Falls

Falls are the main cause of injury on most construction sites since most workers work at various heights. If they are not wearing property safety equipment or harnesses, these falls can prove fatal.

Confined Spaces

Depending on the task they are responsible for on a construction site, some workers must work in confined spaces, such as tanks and manholes. Without proper respiratory equipment, these workers can suffocate to death or inhale toxins and smoke, leading lung cancer, asthma and other respiratory issues. The lack of space can also lead to other accidents, such as electrocutions or becoming trapped.

Striking Hazards

Most construction site fatalities and injuries are the result of struck-by hazards, such as falling, flying, swinging or slipping items, whether they are placed on scaffolding or on the ground. If workers are not wearing hard hats and other safety equipment, these accidents can lead to costly medical bills.

Chemicals

Construction sites usually contain toxic chemicals for different processes of work. If these chemicals are not stored correctly according to quality standards, they can come in contact with workers who may or may not be wearing protective gear, resulting in respiratory problems, third-degree burns or worse.

Hazardous Energy Sources

Equipment, such as machinery and construction tools, such as power drills and other tools, will require maintenance during its lifetime. A site that does not have property lockout and tagout protocols in place - which ensure machinery and tools are safely de-energized and energized when needed, can experience several fatal accidents.

Even though construction is far from being a risk-free industry, a number of these injuries can be reduced with personal protective gear, safety protocols and safety training. This way, minor injuries can be prevented from becoming major injuries. However, some employers and site managers may ignore these in order to save a few bucks or due to sheer negligence.

According to the Workers’ Compensation Act, your employer is responsible for everyone’s safety onsite - and this includes ensuring they have the proper safety equipment available for their workers. If that is not the case, you can sue them in court with help from one of our attorneys here at I Am Calling My Lawyer in Schaumburg, IL. We have years of experience representing construction workers like you who have had enough and want to ensure they do not get injured on the job because of negligent employers. Get in touch with us today.