Construction Accidents & How to Prevent Them
Construction workers confront some of the most dangerous working conditions of any profession on a daily basis. With heavy machinery, numerous objects and employees, and the need to often work from heights, construction sites are filled with potential hazards. Unfortunately, these hazards and the negligence of others commonly result in construction site accidents that injure or kill workers or others nearby. State and federal governments keep close track of construction accidents, in order to both ensure the safety of workers and worksites and to work toward policies that can potentially reduce preventable accidents.
As the data makes clear, construction accidents that injure or kill victims happen all the time. In fact, OSHA reports that 1 in 10 construction workers are injured on the job each year. Unfortunately, many of these injuries prove fatal. In Colorado in 2015 alone, for example, 21 construction workers lost their lives in fatal accidents. Pedestrians, motorists, and other members of the public may have also been killed in accidents on or nearby construction sites, though this data is not readily available.
Construction accidents can occur in a number of ways and for a number of reasons. Some of the most common accidents on construction sites include:
- Falls, including falls from scaffolding
- Falling objects or debris
- Slip and fall accidents
- Electrocution
- Getting caught in between objects, equipment, or debris
- Explosions and fires
- Accidents involving equipment or machinery
- Auto accidents
Because construction sites are dangerous places where workers and the general public face greater risks of suffering serious injuries in various accidents, it is critical to take all measures possible to prevent them. These include:
- Regulations – The construction industry is heavily regulated, from laws that govern the responsibilities of construction companies to laws that mandate the materials they use. These regulations are designed to create safer worksites and protect the safety of workers and others nearby. Unfortunately, when these regulations are not followed, the risks for accidents increases considerably. However, parties that violate safety regulations may be held accountable if their failures to abide by the law results in injuries or deaths.
- Proper Training – Properly trained workers are an important part of avoiding preventable accidents. This is why training standards are often regulated by the state and federal government. Still, construction companies that take shortcuts in order to maximize profits may fail to adequately train their employers or employ untrained workers who pose risks to the safety of others.
- Avoiding Negligence – Avoiding negligence is critical to preventing construction site accidents. When workers or companies are negligent in their actions, or fail to exercise the caution and care reasonable parties would have exercised, they put others at risk of suffering harm. For workers, avoiding negligence can mean following all safety protocol, being fully trained to perform certain tasks, and being vigilant in their actions by avoiding distraction and other behaviors that reduce their ability to safely perform their jobs. For companies, this can include abiding by all safety regulations, properly addressing potential hazards, and diligent employee oversight.
Although there are ways to prevent construction accidents, they still continue to occur with alarming regularity. If you or someone you love has been injured in a construction accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a fatal incident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. Our legal team at Jordan Law is available to review the circumstances involved in your accident to determine if you might have a valid claim for compensation. We can then work to investigate your case and fight for the full and fair recover you deserve!
To speak with a Denver construction accident lawyer from Jordan Law, contact us today.