Have you thought about pursuing a career in the construction industry?
It’s an industry that is always hiring, offers opportunities for growth, and can help you build a lucrative income. But before you leap onto a building site, you have to be aware of a few major risks.
If you’re not careful, there’s always the possibility of a construction accident death occurring. This shouldn’t scare you from pursuing a career in the industry.
Rather, you should be aware of how to take precautions to prevent construction accident deaths.
Here’s what you need to know about their causes:
1. Falls
A fall is one of the most common ways that can lead to a construction accident death.
These falls can occur due to the following:
- A construction worker’s own negligence
- Wall openings
- Floor holes
- Poor stability in flooring
- Unstable ladders
- Scaffolding
- Roofing
- Unprotected edges or corners
As such, it’s imperative to make sure that there are safety measures in place on a construction site. It’s always wise to set up safety nets, boardings, etc., to avoid falls.
On professional construction sites, there’ll always be an orientation on how construction workers can avoid falls. There’ll also be instructions on what safety measures can reduce the chances of any falls.
2. Getting Harmed by an Object
Another major cause of death on a construction site involves getting harmed by an object.
A construction worker can run or walk into a stationary object. An object can also get hurled as a projectile and can lead to a construction accident death.
While not as common as a fall, this is still something one should be wary of on a construction site. It’s imperative that all construction workers know where objects should get placed.
For example, there can be a map that indicates where objects should get stored when not in use. It can also indicate zones where objects should never get placed.
Dangerous objects can include tools, machinery, vehicles, and loads. You want to make sure to you and other workers take precautions.
For example, all construction workers should wear bright clothing. This makes it easy to look out for other workers while they are handling dangerous objects.
It’s also imperative to train workers to be alert at all times. Workers should also get trained on how to avoid putting themselves in harms’ way.
3. Getting Stuck
Believe it or not, getting stuck in the wrong area of a construction site can lead to death!
If a construction worker gets stuck under collapsed construction or piled under debris, this can lead to their death. It’s also possible to get stuck in between machinery.
A construction worker might be focused on their task without noticing any imminent danger.
It’s up to other construction workers to monitor the construction site. These monitors will also serve as guardians while the other construction workers get on with their duties.
Before a construction project begins, the foreman will usually undertake the responsibility of preparing anyone for a “getting stuck” situation.
For example, how does one escape from being trapped under debris or other materials? How do you protect your fellow construction workers from machinery?
Make sure you learn how to prevent yourself and others from getting stuck. You also need a game plan of how to free yourself and others from getting stuck.
4. Electrocutions
This is perhaps the most frightening cause of a construction accident death. On a construction site, one can expect to have exposure to several electric hazards.
You want to make sure there aren’t any loose electric wires dangling about the construction site. You also want to make sure that all workers know how to deal with electrical equipment.
What happens if rain is expected? How do you protect machinery from causing electrocutions if they get wet?
It’s also imperative that you know how to handle machinery that can produce a high voltage of electricity. All construction workers should also have protective clothing to prevent electrocutions.
What Are the Solutions?
So what are the solutions to reduce the likelihood of a construction accident death?
The first step is to find a great law firm that knows how to protect the rights of construction workers. You can look here for more information: https://www.oreskylaw.com/practice/construction-accidents/
The next step is to make sure that every construction project begins with a safety briefing. All construction workers, old and new, need to get taught about the potential risks on a construction site.
There has to be training on how to protect oneself and others from safety hazards. It’s imperative that there are mock trials where construction workers can practice these safety protocols.
It’s also imperative to teach the team the importance of cleanliness. Even minor debris or spare parts can lead to serious accidents. These accidents can lead to death if precautions aren’t taken.
Floors in work areas should get cleaned at all times. It’s also imperative that they be kept dry at all times. It’s wise to cancel a construction day if the weather is unfavorable.
All working days should begin and end with a checklist. Construction workers should check if the equipment has been turned on and off. Everyone should check that the construction site has been thoroughly cleaned.
The final step is to keep up with OSHA Guidelines. OSHA is an organization that sets the ideal safety standards to prevent injuries and death in the workplace.
They’ve consulted construction projects on how to create a safe environment for all construction workers. If you want to reduce construction accident deaths, you can depend on advice from OSHA.
You Can Prevent a Construction Accident Death
Now that you know the leading causes of a construction accident, you can make sure to prevent one.
If you pursue a career in the construction industry, you’ll learn many great skills, earn a lucrative income, and make a welcome contribution to society. We just want to make sure that you also protect your life and others as well!
Please share this guide with anyone else interested in working in construction.
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