Despite the improvements in construction safety equipment, technology, and training, construction site accidents continue to happen at a high rate, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
According to a recognized safety body in the United States, the construction industry has a 71 percent higher injury rate than other industries. One of every five worker deaths in the United States occurs in the construction industry, with 1,061 construction workers losing their lives in 2019 alone.
The construction industry also has the fourth-highest fatal injury rate, with 9.7 out of every 100,000 construction workers sustaining a fatal injury annually.
What Causes Construction Accidents?
There are several reasons why construction site injuries continue to occur. One major factor is the work type itself, which often involves the following:
- Working at heights
- Handling heavy machinery and materials
- And working in hazardous conditions
In addition, the construction industry has a high rate of temporary and contract workers, who may not have similar training and experience as full-time employees, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
Generally, falls are one of the leading causes of construction site injuries, accounting for 33 percent of total construction deaths. Workers may fall from heights, such as scaffolding or roofs, or trip and fall on uneven surfaces.
Also, impacts from objects, such as falling debris or equipment, are another common cause of injuries on construction sites, accounting for 60 percent of crane-related deaths. Electrocution can also happen to workers who work with live electrical wires or equipment.
Finally, workers may be trapped in or between objects, such as caught in machinery or buried under collapsed structures.
Extreme Cost Effect of Construction Accidents
The cost of construction injuries in the United States is more than $11.5 billion annually. However, investments in safety programs could reduce these injury totals and save as much as four to six dollars for every dollar invested. Despite advancements in safety technology, the construction industry still has a lot to do to ensure the number of accidents and injuries occurring on construction sites is reduced.
“Construction remains one of the most vulnerable industries to hazards in the United States,” says David Michaels – Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health. “We must do more to protect the skilled individuals who build our roads, bridges, and buildings.”
According to OSHA, inadequate training and supervision are major contributors to construction site accidents. David Michaels, the Assistant Secretary for the Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, also says, “Construction workers need to be trained to recognize hazards and to use the safety equipment provided to them. Employers must also provide ongoing supervision to ensure workers follow safety procedures.”
Other factors contributing to construction site accidents include poor communication, poor fall protection, and inadequate safety equipment.
In conclusion, construction site accidents continue to happen despite safety equipment, technology, and training improvements.
To bring accidents and injuries that occur on construction sites to the barest minimum, companies need to provide the following:
- Proper training for individuals who work in certain companies or with specific tools
- Supervision safety equipment for their workers
- Require workers to follow safety procedures and speak up about any hazards they notice
“By addressing the top causes of construction site injuries, the industry can work towards reducing the high injury rate and saving lives,” says personal injury attorney Cheryl Perkins.
