Construction jobs are some of the most dangerous occupations. Due to the inherent risks of the physical labor, the treacherous work environment, and the use of hazardous machines, materials, and tools, there are many different kinds of workplace injuries suffered by construction workers.
The accidents that take place on construction worksites threaten harm to workers in all sorts of ways. Some of the most common construction injuries include:
- Muscle strains or sprains.
- Cuts.
- Burns.
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Crushed or amputated digits or limbs .
- Eye injuries or vision loss.
- Electrocution.
- Loss of hearing.
- Toxic exposure.
- Repetitive motion injuries.
- Brain and spinal cord injuries.
- Death.
Types of Construction Accidents
The wide range of injuries that occur on a construction site are due to a number of factors that make these jobs so dangerous. Many employees in the construction industry work every day with sharp and fast-moving tools, with heavy machinery, at dangerous heights, in precarious locations, and with risks of damaging exposure to chemicals, toxic construction materials, and the elements.
Below are some accidents that are frequently seen in the construction industry:
- Falls from heights: Falls from buildings or elevated structures cause some of the most serious injuries. Unfortunately, falls are among the most common construction industry accidents.
- Trench collapse accidents: When workers dig trenches to access or install underground pipes or equipment, they can become trapped if the walls of the trench do not hold. Workers can be crushed by the weight of the loose earth as it caves in, or if the trench is deep enough, they may even be buried alive.
- Structure collapse accidents: Construction workers working on unsecured scaffolding or an unsafe building may be hurt if the structure collapses.
- Struck by objects: The workers performing their jobs high above the ground are not the only ones at risk. This work also creates a danger for those below. Dropped tools and other objects can injure or kill a fellow worker.
- Heavy machinery accidents: Construction accidents may also involve heavy machinery. Workers can be run over, backed over, pinned, and crushed by work vehicles, such as bulldozers, front loaders, cranes, excavators, and forklifts. Sometimes, a work accident is a co-worker’s fault, other times, equipment malfunctions are to blame. Loud noises emitted from machines can damage hearing, and wood shards or metal shrapnel from construction materials can be expelled from fast-moving power tools.
- Electrical accidents: Electric shocks or arc flash injuries are also common in construction. Working with electricity-powered tools and generators create danger. Performing electrical work also puts workers at risk.
- Overexertion: Construction workers can become injured due to overexertion or repeated exposure to dangerous environment. Workers who are exposed to extreme heat can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
- Exposure: Workers who are repeatedly exposed to toxic materials, such as asbestos or mold, can become sick.
Media Workplace Injury Lawyer the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello Represents Injured Construction Workers
Were you hurt while working on a construction site and need help with your claim? If so, our Media workplace injury lawyer at the Law Office of Deborah M. Truscello can assist. Contact us online or call us at (610) 892-4940 to schedule a free consultation. Located in Media, Pennsylvania, we represent injured workers in Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Lancaster, Montgomery County, Norristown, Philadelphia, Reading, and West Chester.
