Construction workers have dangerous jobs. They are required to work from heights on ladders and scaffolding, operate heavy machinery, operate power tools, and perform other dangerous tasks on a daily basis.
In this physically-demanding line of work, injuries are common. And unfortunately, deaths are also a reality.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there were 4,379 employees killed on the job in the United States in 2015. Of those, 21.4% (or 937) were in the construction industry.
Causes of Construction Worker Deaths
What, exactly, are the most dangerous aspects of construction jobs?
OSHA considers the following to be the “fatal four” accidents leading to on-the-job construction worker deaths. These four types of accidents accounted for 64.2% of construction worker deaths in 2015:
- Falls: 364 deaths
- Being struck by an object: 90 deaths
- Electrocutions: 81 deaths
- Being caught in between objects: 67 deaths
Considering all of the dangerous aspects of this line of work, construction workers must always be vigilant. Construction company operators must work to ensure that construction sites are safe places to work and that workplace safety standards are met.
Construction workers who have been injured on the job may be eligible for compensation through a workers’ compensation claim. The employee can seek additional compensation through a third-party liability claim if the accident was caused by a negligent third party. Family members who have lost a loved one in a construction accident may also be eligible for compensation.
The attorneys at Cutter Law P.C., represent injury victims and surviving family members. For a free consultation, call 888-285-3333.