Since 1971, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to ensure employers provide safe working conditions for their employees through training, assistance, outreach, and establishing certain procedures. While work-related injuries and deaths have significantly declined over the years, dangerous conditions continue to exist in construction sites throughout the United States.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction accidents have resulted in approximately 150,000 injuries annually. OSHA has reported that one in ten (10) construction workers are injured each year.
The following are the leading causes of workplace fatalities in the construction industry, which are known as the “Fatal Four” by OSHA:
Falls – Nearly 37 percent of all construction accident deaths are caused by falling, whether it’s falling off roofs and scaffolding or falling into unprotected holes or sides. In order to prevent falls, OSHA recommends wearing and using personal fall arrest equipment, safely using ladders and scaffolding, covering and securing floor openings and label the covers, and install perimeter protection.
Getting struck by an object – Over ten (10) percent of construction fatalities are caused by falling, swinging, or misplaced objects. Falling objects are triggered by equipment malfunctions, mechanical failures, loose materials, as well as vehicle collisions. OSHA says to never place yourself in between fixed and moving objects and always wear clothes that are highly visible near construction equipment and machinery.
Electrocutions – Nearly nine (9) percent of construction workers die because of electrocution. There are various electrocution risks in any given construction site, from exposed wiring, wet conditions near outlets, and even lightning strikes. OSHA recommends workers to locate utilities prior to working, keep an eye out for overhead powerlines when using equipment or machinery, ensure portable electrical tools are double insulated and grounded, and maintain a safe distance from power lines.
Getting caught in or between objects – More than two (2) percent of construction fatalities are caused by workers getting caught in or between equipment, machinery, and other types of devices and tools. These deaths also include excavation or trench collapses. When it comes to trenches and excavations, OSHA suggests workers should never enter an unprotected excavation or trench without a proper protective system in place and ensure excavations and trenches are protected either by trench shield systems, benching, sloping, or shoring.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident in New Jersey, not only are you eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, but you may also be able to file a third-party lawsuit. Contact our Woodbridge legal team at Palmisano & Goodman, P.A. today at (732) 709-4400 for a free consultation.