Construction workers enjoy a career where their services are always in demand and they can earn a competitive wage. Those wages help offset the risk that comes from working in the construction sector. Construction professionals get exposed to dangerous chemicals and heavy machinery. They have to handle tools and work at a significant elevation in many cases. Construction workers have more risk of getting hurt on the job or dying at work than those in many other professions.
The most serious hazards are easily predictable for those familiar with workplace injury statistics. Ultimately, the following are the most notable common safety risks for construction workers.
Falls
Working at a significant elevation is dangerous. Construction workers may need to work on a second-story roof or multiple stories above ground. If they end up falling, they are at risk of severe injury and possibly death. Employers generally need to provide appropriate safety equipment to help minimize the risk of a fall.
Struck-by incidents
There are many kinds of moving equipment at the average construction site. From heavy machinery to materials lifted by cranes, those items can sometimes make accidental contact with workers. Struck-by incidents include scenarios in which falling objects hit workers or where machinery strikes a construction professional. Such incidents can lead to death or can cause severe injuries ranging from broken bones to spinal cord injuries.
Electrical exposure
Construction sites create many opportunities for exposure to electricity. Some professionals help install or update wiring, which is hazardous. Others may regularly use power tools. Temporary power supply and fraying electrical cords might result in their exposure to a dangerous amount of electricity. Even accidental contact with power lines can lead to major injuries for those working in construction.
Caught-between incidents
Sometimes, workers end up stuck between two objects. A cave-in that occurs while a worker is performing a task inside a trench could lead to a caught-between situation. Workers could also end up pinned by equipment against a wall or another piece of machinery. Any of these hazards could cause career-ending injuries or leave a worker in the hospital for weeks.
Construction workers with serious on-the-job injuries may need help obtaining workers’ compensation benefits to pay for their medical costs and lost wages, with is okay. Learning about job hazards can help workers avoid them and recognize when they should assert themselves due to unnecessary danger in the workplace.
