5 Most Common Construction Worksite Hazards
Working on a construction site can be demanding and challenging to put it mildly. Apart from the physical nature of the job, the risk of being exposed to a wide range of occupational hazards makes construction a dangerous industry. Here’s a look at the 5 most common construction worksite hazards:
1. Falls
Construction workers often need to work at height with the help of ladders and scaffolds. If the surface is unstable or if the ladder or scaffold is defective, workers can fall and get badly injured. The worst part is that many employers in New York fail to provide the personal protective equipment needed for their workers or have fall protection mechanisms in place. It’s why falling from height remains the single biggest cause of fatalities in the construction industry.
2. Moving Objects
Due to the nature of construction work, large amounts of construction materials and equipment need to be transported from one place to another on a constant basis. If the site’s surface is uneven (which it often is), if the operator is negligent, or if there is a defect in the equipment, workers could get struck by moving objects or get hit by cranes, forklifts, or aerial lifts.
3. Collapse
Walls, scaffolds, excavations, trenches, and other structures can cave in or collapse if they are not properly erected, due to lack of support, or due to adverse weather conditions. If and when it happens, workers could get trapped inside the remains or get crushed under the weight of the collapsing structure.
4. Electricity
Construction workers are often required to work close to overhead or underground power lines, which can be extremely dangerous. They might also accidentally come into contact with other sources of electricity (including electrical tools, equipment, and machinery) on the worksite.
The reason why electrocutions are so common on construction sites is that employers often ask untrained workers to carry out electrical work and force them to work in wet conditions. Lack of protective equipment is also a reason why many construction workers are exposed to electrical hazards on worksites.
5. Harmful Materials
A wide range of chemicals, toxic substances, and other harmful materials are used in construction work regularly. Common factors that can increase the risk of exposure to harmful materials on construction sites include:
- Failing to train workers on how to store, use, and dispose of these materials safely
- Allowing untrained workers to handle these materials
- Failing to provide the necessary protective equipment to workers
- Failing to train and educate workers on emergency protocols to be followed in the event of an accidental spillage or leak
Choose Highly Experienced and Trusted Construction Site Accident Attorneys in New York
At the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, we are committed to fighting for the rights and interests of construction workers in New York. Our construction accident lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience and have a deep understanding of state and federal laws and regulations governing the construction industry.
If you have been injured in a construction site accident, we can help you with your workers’ compensation claim and file tort claims against negligent third parties and fight hard to obtain the best settlement offer possible.
Call our firm today at 212-962-1020 or use our online contact form to schedule a free and confidential consultation with one of our skilled New York construction accident lawyers.