Construction work is inherently risky. Whether you’re working on a skyscraper, residential building, or roadwork project, the potential for accidents is always present. Unfortunately, construction accidents are common in Pennsylvania, a state with a booming construction industry. With a diverse range of construction projects occurring across the state, it’s crucial to understand the top causes of these accidents and how to protect yourself. In this post, we’ll explore the most common Workers comp attorney Chambersburg PA causes and provide essential safety tips to help prevent injuries.
1. Falls from Heights
When evaluating injuries due to construction, it is apparent that falls are one of the greatest issues. Every year, a great number of construction workers succumb to severe injuries due to falls from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, or even platforms, causing them broken bones, severe head impact, or worse – death. The number one killer of construction workers are falls, and there’s no arguing with that.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Always make use of proper fall protection equipment like harnesses, guardrails, and safety nets.
- Ensure that all scaffolding and ladders are locked into place and are functional.
- Observe the safety breach that no fall protection is required at a height of six feet or more.
- Participate in frequent safety training to understand the correct procedures for working at heights.
2. Heavy Equipment Accidents
Construction sites are often characterized by the presence of dominant machines like cranes, bulldozers, sophisticate backhoe. Such machines have the potential to risk life when in the hands of incompetent users or when necessary precautions are not adhered to. Heavy machines accidents can have catastrophic consequences such as losing a limb, being crushed, or losing one’s life.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Permitting only authorized and trained personnel to handle heavy machinery.
- Obligate routine maintenance checks on machines to ensure that they are working properly.
- Avoid being in proximity to operating machinery and be be conscious of the situation around you.
- At all times dress in easily identifiable clothing to allow machine operators to see you.
- Comply with all refinery regulations, like turning off equipment that is not in use.
3. Electrocution
While working in construction sites, workers run the risk of electrocution due to heavy powered wires or poorly wired machines. Depression, serious injuries, or even death are some dire consequences of these measures. Complications concerning electrocution can happen while drilling, digging, or being in close proximity to power lines.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Before commencing any electrical work, always assure that the system is not working.
- To avoid electrical contact, put on shoes with rubber soles and utilize wirings tools.
- Don’t approach live power lines at closer than 10 feet.
- Keep safety in mind when handling wires and voltage-powered devices, and always adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements.
- Do not attempt any activity related to electrical systems without using an experienced electrical contractor.
4. Being Struck by Objects
Construction sites contain many tools, machines, and construction materials. It is common for even the experienced construction workers to get injuries caused by old equipment or falling materials. Masonry items such as bricks, wood, or even tools can plummet from aerial work platforms, roofs, or cranes and hit the workers who are standing below, leading to everything from dizzy spells to fractures and other injuries.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Ensure a head covering to save the head from any hurt caused by tools and other things dropping from above.
- Use a safety belt when performing tasks at high altitudes in order to avoid dropping tools and materials.
- Use safety fencing or nets around places which are prone to having objects fall from above.
- Carefully observe everything that is happening around you, especially when moving in a working area.
5. Slips, Trips, and Falls on the Same Level
Such injuries as slips, trips, and falls on the same level may be viewed as less serious compared to falls from above, but they are ranked as one of the most common causes of injuries in construction because there is always the risk of the worker slipping or tripping on such work conditions as wet floors, loose materials, uneven ground, or disorganized places. Such falls can cause sprains, fractures, and also back injuries.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Ensure the pathways do not have any tools, materials, or other debris.
- Whenever a spill occurs, ensure it is mopped so there are no floors left slippery.
- Ensure appropriate footwear is worn which will avoid slips.
- Make use of illumination in all parts of the construction area.
6. Lack of Safety Training
Not having enough safety training is one of the common causes of accidents while working in construction. If an employee was not trained properly in safety issues, he or she is likely to get injured. Safety training from fall protection to proper handling of equipment is critical for some of the serious issues that may occur.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Attend all workplace safety courses prepared by your employer, and incite your colleagues to do so.
- Adhere to the newest industry safety measures and practices.
- Always equip yourself with necessary safety equipment for any kind of work given.
- Advise your supervisor about any unsafe working conditions.
7. Inadequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment has a crucial function of minimizing injury on the construction site. In case the employees do not cooperate, and decide not to use suitable PPE, they stand a greater chance of being harmed. Mishaps can be avoided by using the right PPE like safety goggles, gloves, safety boots, hard hats, and safety glasses.
How to Protect Yourself:
- PPE designed for the particular task that you want to perform should be worn.
- Check that PPE worn is tidy, in shape and that it fits the user.
- Do not hesitate to discard overly used or damaged PPE at once.
- Follow the requirements set by the company regarding the other PPE and safety gear that should be worn for the job.
8. Poor Site Conditions
An underlying cause of some accidents is the poor state of the construction site. Accidents can happen on site as a result of inadequate work such as uneven ground, minimal to no signs, no safety barriers, and poor lighting. All these conditions pose a danger to employees due to lack of caution and or imaginations of how bad it could be planned.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Every unsafe condition at the site should be reported to the supervisor or safety officer.
- All site specific safety instructions should be followed.
- Make sure that walkways are marked and that any possible danger is clearly specified and all hazards are marked.
Conclusion
Pennsylvania construction accident lawyer are unfortunately common in Pennsylvania, but they are preventable. Understanding the top causes of construction accidents—such as falls, equipment accidents, electrocution, and poor site conditions—can help you stay vigilant and reduce the risk of injury. By using the right safety equipment, following proper procedures, and undergoing thorough training, you can protect yourself and your coworkers on the job.
