Construction’s “Fatal Four” Accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recorded nearly 4,000 worker fatalities in 2013. 20.3% of those deaths, one in five, were in construction. Of the 796 construction worker deaths recorded by OSHA last year, the leading causes were:

• Falls: 294 deaths (36.9 percent)
• Struck by an object: 82 deaths (10.3 percent)
• Electrocution: 71 deaths (8.9 percent)
• Caught in or between machinery or other objects: 21 deaths (2.6 percent)

Many construction accidents are minor, resulting in varying degrees of injury. A few are more serious, causing workers to suffer permanent disability. But none are so tragic, or so final, as accidents resulting in a worker’s death. If even half of the “fatal four” accidents were prevented, 238 American workers’ lives could be saved each year.

No Accident is 100 Percent Preventable

Even the most careful and experienced team of construction workers can’t prevent every accident. However, many—if not most—accidents are preventable. Safety rules such as those set forth by OSHA are a good start; employers are required to adhere to OSHA’s safety standards and to educate their workers in on-the-job safety.

Fall Protection and Prevention

Fall protection, including guardrails, toe-boards, safety harnesses, and other protective equipment, is required on many jobs. However, inadequate fall protection has been the most frequently cited safety violation in recent years. What that really means is that contractors and property owners could do more to prevent falls on the job, particularly when we consider that falls account for more construction accident deaths than any other cause.

Accidents Due to Faulty Equipment

A good number of accidents happen due to equipment failure. Sometimes the equipment has design flaws; other times, people have failed to maintain or repair it properly.

If you’ve suffered the unspeakable loss of a family member due to a construction accident, no one can put a price on your loss. What makes the situation even worse is that funeral expenses and lost wages will take an additional toll on your family. You owe it to yourself, and to the rest of your family, to determine if someone’s negligence contributed to your loved one’s accidental death; working with a construction accident lawyer who deals with wrongful death cases is often the best way to begin the healing process

See Also: https://www.klawnyc.com/brooklyn-fall-from-height-accident/