A surprising number of construction workers go into the job largely unaware of the risks, assuming their health and safety are all taken care of. While workplaces are safer today than they were five years ago, data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) suggests that there is still room for improvement. This article shows some basic figures that paint a clear picture of how safe the construction industry is for today’s workers.
- The OSHA reports that one in ten workers is injured in construction projects every year. These figures are based on cases reported to the authorities; it is believed that many cases are settled privately and thus don’t make it to the OSHA records.
- In 2007, 4.2 out of 100 workers suffered from work-related illness or injury—a nationwide total of over 4 million people. While less than half of the cases were fatal, a considerable 21% of the deaths were in the construction industry.
- Reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that around 150,000 construction workers are injured annually, most of them caused by falls and contact with dangerous equipment.
- Falls accounted for 25% of construction accidents from 2006 to 2008. This is followed by overexertion and heavy impact, which made up 23% and 22% respectively. Other common causes include repetitive motion and getting stuck in tight spots.
- Accidents tend to occur in workers between 25 and 34 years old. While this may be a matter of preference—companies prefer young and able workers for manual labor—it may also point to lack of training and experience on the job.
- Injuries arising from construction accidents usually involve the back, trunk, and spine. A common scenario is when a worker steps back on an open surface and falls, with the lower back, head, or neck usually hitting the ground first.
- According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), more than 1,200 construction workers died on the job in 2005. The construction industry has since been considered the most dangerous in the U.S.
- Of the total amount spent every year on workers’ compensation, roughly 15% goes to workers injured in construction sites, although construction workers make up only 2% of the total workforce.
This article is not intended as legal advice.
Additional resource: Dallas Construction Injury Lawyer Kris Barber. Serving clients in the Greater Dallas area.
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Working at a construction site is one of the most dangerous occupations. If you are involved in a work accident you have a right to make a compensation claim. To claim for a work related injury you will need some evidence that your injuries are the result of an accident or working practice in your workplace. This can be in the form of witnesses, employers logs, previous similar work accidents, ambulance attendance at the scene plus many others. Work accident claims. are only made for injuries that the employee suffered at work, which wouldn’t have occurred had the employer taken action to prevent the work accident.If you have had an accident at work, speak to one of our specialist solicitors and make a work accident compensation claim online today.
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