The Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) has operated under a single
mission statement since its inception on April 28, 1971: “to assure safe and healthful
working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing
standards and providing training, outreach, education and assistance.”
In the last 48 years, the workplace fatality rate has dropped
62%, and occupational injury and illness fatality rates have been reduced
by 42%. However, there is one industry that remains dangerous despite
OSHA’s efforts: the construction industry.
There are over 4,500 worker fatalities in the United States each year.
Construction workers represent approximately
20.7% of this statistic, with 1 out of 5 workplace fatalities taking place at
a construction site. The top four causes of fatal – and preventable
– construction accidents are known as the “fatal four”
for their high rate of incidence; in fact, the fatal four were responsible for
60% of all construction worker deaths in 2017.
The “fatal four” are as follows:
Falls – OSHA estimates that falls are responsible for 39.2% of all construction
accident deaths each year. In 2017, about 381 workers were killed after
falling from considering heights while performing their daily job duties.
According to OSHA, companies can implement the following preventative
measures to decrease fall rates at construction sites: create mandatory
training opportunities, purchase better scaffolding materials, and provide
life-saving safety equipment like clips, hoists, and pulleys.
Struck by object – Any
object that falls or is thrown down from a great height is incredibly dangerous to anyone
situated at ground level. Even a bolt blown loose from a bursting pipe
or a nail dropped from a roof can injure or kill a person. Sadly, being
“struck” by an object accounts for nearly 10% of all construction
accident deaths. Per this statistic, about 90 people a year die from preventable
accidents, mishaps, and errors. The best way to decrease these incidents
is to supply employees with better safety equipment and make sure they
wear hard hats at all times.
Electrocutions – Over 70 construction workers were killed in accidents involving
electrocutions in 2017. Unfortunately, this is one of the key hazards
of the industry, and not just for professional electricians. Construction
workers are annually killed in incidents caused by faulty wiring, defective
transformers, and countless other electrical hazards. For this reason,
all construction site employees need to undergo extensive safety training
to reduce their chances of sustaining life-threatening injuries.
Caught-in/between – This odd term might require a little clarification for those outside
the industry. Construction workers work with large machines, testy vehicles,
and heavy equipment on a daily basis. When something breaks down, the
construction worker may have to go inside the machine to fix it. Machinery
defects or an act of coworker negligence may cause the machine to turn
back on, resulting in the worker’s death. Of course, there are also
situations where an employee has been struck by an object or vehicle and
trapped against another. This umbrella term also encompasses situations
where an employee is killed by a collapsing structure or material. According
to OSHA reports, these incidents (and more) lead to about 50 construction
worker fatalities annually.
Do You Require Legal Representation? Contact The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC Today
Contact the attorneys at The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC if you or a loved one
has been injured or killed in a construction site accident. Our skilled
legal team can investigate the incident, collect evidence that pinpoints
a negligent party, and help you pursue workers’ compensation benefits
and/or third-party damages. With our help, you may be able to collect
a recovery that covers your medical costs, lost wages, and more.
We’re available 24/7!
Contact The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC at (512) 271-5112 to schedule a case evaluation.