It is widespread knowledge that the construction industry is one, if not, the most dangerous profession. Each year, there are numerous construction-related accidents reported in the State of California alone. In many cases, these accidents occur because of the employer’s failure to abide by Cal-OSHA, OSHA, or other industry safety regulations. Some accidents can also occur because of a third-party’s negligence, faulty manufacturing, defective designs and/or defective products.
For purposes of this article, we will look into widely recognized safety guidelines that should be routinely implemented in construction sites. Agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration help to ensure the safety of construction workers and work to ensure employers maintain the following safety standards.
Potentially Hazardous Conditions and Their Solutions
In the construction industry, there are several dangers that are frequently found. These are:
Scaffolding – Scaffolds that are not used properly or set up correctly can cause a worker to fall. In effort of ensuring a safe scaffold, a scaffold should be rigid and have the capacity to hold four times the intended load without displacing.
Falling – Every year, falls account for the greatest percentage of casualties in the construction industry. There are numerous factors that could lead to a fall, which include:
- Failure to use safety equipment,
- Unstable working areas, and
- Human error
To prevent fatal falls, workers should consider using elevated platforms and/or body harnesses when working in high altitudes.
Use of Cranes – Injuries can easily occur if a crane is not inspected before its use and if it is not used properly. In effort of reducing injury, crane controls should be checked before use. Additionally, accessible areas should be barricaded within the machine’s wing radius.
Hazardous Communication – There is an unnecessary amount of accidents that occur in constructions sites that are a direct result of improper communication. To minimize injuries, workers should be properly trained before performing a specific task and they should also be warned of potential dangers.
When a Construction-Related Injury Occurs, Obtain the Legal Support of a Skilled Attorney
There are countless hazardous conditions that can happen in a construction site that have the potential to cause serious injuries. These accidents can easily result tin the worker’s inability to earn a living, costly medical expenses, and even affect the worker’s quality of life. When an accident happens, there are several parties that could be held accountable for the worker’s injuries and other grievances. If you are a construction worker that has been recently injured at work because of an improperly maintained site, seek the legal support of a skilled attorney who can represent your rights.
The attorneys at Martinez & Schill, LLP are highly skilled in the field of construction accidents involving the improper maintenance of a site. The firm has many years of experience in vigorously representing the rights of construction workers who have suffered severe injuries because of negligent employers and outside third-companies. Personal injury claims involving construction-site accidents are subject to strict deadlines, consult a professional attorney as soon as possible.