The construction site is a hub of activity, and it can also be a dangerous one for those who work in that environment every day. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one in 10 construction workers are injured every year in various types of job-related accidents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also estimates that 150,000 injuries occur from construction site accidents annually. The most common types of construction accidents include:
Falls
By far the most common type of construction accidents, falls can occur from scaffolding, cranes, roofs or elevator shafts. Construction workers can also fall into holes or trenches dug during the construction process. Falls may result in serious spinal and head injuries, paralysis and even death.
Electrical Injuries
Electrocution is a frequent concern on construction sites where live wires may be hiding overhead, underground and even right around the construction site. OSHA provides specific safety standards to keep construction sites safe, but if they are not followed consistently, tragic consequences can be the result.
Crane Accidents
These huge pieces of machinery are invaluable on construction sites today, but they can also be extremely dangerous if proper procedures are not followed. Crane accidents may occur when cranes hitting overhead power lines, drop loads or result in serious falls.
Welding Accidents
Welding exposes workers to dangerous levels of ultraviolet and infrared radiation, as well as the dangerous inhalation of metal fumes, so appropriate precautions must be taken to protect workers from injury. Although welding accidents are not usually fatal, they can be extremely debilitating and disfiguring for the victim.
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