Construction continues to be one of the most dangerous professions
Construction is a dangerous industry to work in. Workers may face serious injuries from falls, electrocution and other accidents.
Construction is always going on in Denver around the year. With so much work, it is no surprise that accidents happen. The construction industry has long been known as one of America’s most dangerous jobs, and it appears that safety regulations are not always effective. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal construction-related injuries rose by 6 percent in 2014. The construction industry held one of the top spots for fatal accidents that year.
What are the fatal four?
Over the years, four types of construction accidents have caused a majority of fatalities on the job. These accidents, according to EHS Today, are known as the “fatal four,” and were the cause of 57 percent of construction deaths in 2012. They include the following:
• Falls, usually from a scaffold or unfinished upper floor
• Electrocutions, often from faulty electrical equipment or energized cables
• Getting caught between objects
• Being struck by objects, such as falling debris or moving vehicles
These dangers are one of the main reasons the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration has set safety regulations on construction sites – to reduce the risk of workers being injured on the job. Unfortunately, according to Electrical Construction & Maintenance, it is uncommon for OSHA inspectors to visit a jobsite that has no safety violations at all. The most common, and deadliest, safety violations in construction include scaffolding, grounding and excavation violations. For example, workers may fall from a scaffold that is not fully planked on its walking surfaces or constructed on a stable surface. They may be electrocuted by cables that are not de-energized or are lacking the proper grounding equipment. Workers can suffer fatal injuries after a trench collapses because it was not correctly braced against cave-ins.
Fines for companies failing to safeguard employees
Recently, two Colorado construction companies were fined for numerous severe safety violations. According to the Daily Camera, last August a construction worker suffered fatal injuries from a fall through a hole in the roof of the building he was working on. Reportedly, the accident occurred at sunrise and the area was not properly lit. The companies received numerous citations for failing to train employees on safety procedures and to provide safety equipment.
If you are injured in a workplace accident, you are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover your medical expenses. However, workers’ compensation claims and procedures may be complex in Colorado. It may be wise to contact an experienced Denver workers’ compensation attorney to help you with your claim.
