The construction economy in Arizona continues to rise, with the United States Department of Labor Bureau of LaborStatistics (BLS) reporting a 2.1 percent year-over-year increase in June 2017. With infrastructure renovations and new developments constantly popping up in our beautiful state, you or a loved one may play an important role in construction throughout the Valley. It is important to be aware of the most common types of construction site accidents to be safe and avoid injury.
Unfortunately, construction work is the deadliest industry in the United States, with the United States Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration reporting there were 937 construction fatalities in 2015. Non-fatal accidents climb into the tens of thousands each year around the country.
With the industry expected to increase over the next decade, according to the BLS, the focus on safety and well-being at construction sites should also increase. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Arizona accidents on construction sites often happen because of negligent employers, manufacturers or third parties. If you or a loved one are a victim of a construction accident, damages may include physical injuries, time missed off work due to injury, mental and emotional stress and more. Here are some of the most common types of accidents on construction sites in Arizona, and information on when hiring a construction injury attorney can help your case.
Falls
Construction workers are sometimes positioned in high places, working on skyscraper buildings, on tops of roofs, or on top of scaffolding. Falls are the leading cause of death on construction sites and are becoming increasingly deadly, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there were 367 fatalities from construction falls in 2015, a 36.4 percent increase from 2011.
Falls can occur because the material someone is standing on is not stable, or because there are dangerous elements that become obstacles to safety. Improper training by an employer may also lead to this risky accident.
Collisions with Hazardous Objects
There are many heavy, sharp, hazardous materials on construction sites that are constantly being transported on the ground and in the air. Neglecting to properly secure a deadly object can cause the object to strike someone in the head, fall on a limb, crush a back or more.
Rigging materials and machinery may also be faulty, which can lead to dangerous results. Improper training of using construction materials may cause a worker to put a coworker or themselves in danger.
Electrocutions
Construction site workers are often working with electrical wiring. While wiring methods, equipment, components and design should all follow safety requirements, if proper materials and methods are not adhered to, a worker can experience a lethal shock.
The Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety & Health reports that improper lockout/tag-out procedures, failure to avoid live electrical lines and lack of proper electrical knowledge are among the most significant risks relating to construction site electrocution. An employer who has non-experts working with electricity may be found negligent in an accident, while not following safety procedures is also highly dangerous.
Caught-In/Between Accidents
These scary types of accidents occur when a part of a person or whole person is stuck in-between heavy machinery and is crushed. These include accidents where a structure of a building that is not properly secured starts to crumble, leaving whoever is underneath it in danger.
Accidents like these have causes that range from scaffolding that does not meet general requirements, to machinery that malfunctions and catches a worker off-guard. Without properly monitoring training of construction workers and adhering to safety procedures, these often-deadly accidents can occur.
More Construction Site Hazards
While the previously mentioned four types of accidents have been labeled as the “Fatal Four” by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are many more complex dangers on construction sites that can only be mitigated with safety training on machinery and operations. These include respiratory hazards, trucking machinery, faulty ladders and improper machinery guarding.
Some damages from these dangers result immediately from accidents. Others, such as lung damage from working with hazardous materials or because of improper training, may create long-term damage.
When You Should Hire a Construction Accident Lawyer
Working in construction should be a reliable and rewarding career, not one where you feel like you’re in danger because you’re in an unsafe environment. Your employer should be following Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations in your work environment. Even when this is the case, sometimes a third-party is responsible for negligence that results in an accident, such as when a product is defective.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed on a construction site, it is vital to consult with a Phoenix accident lawyer who can help you to understand your rights and fight for your case if needed. An accident that is the fault of an employer or a third-party means the injured party deserves compensation for injuries, time missed off work and more. In the highly unfortunate case of a fatality, a Phoenix wrongful death lawyer can fight for the family.
Matt Millea is a Phoenix injury and workers compensation lawyer who specializes in personal injuries or wrongful death due to accidents including those on construction sites. The Millea law firm does not charge unless compensation is recovered for the injured party or family. Contact Matt Millea who care for his clients, is tough on those liable and experienced in a variety of injury cases. Call (480) 367-1922, or contact us online for a free construction accident consultation.
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