The Worst Construction Accidents in the USA and How to Avoid Them

 
 

 

The U.S. construction industry is one of the most dangerous industries in the country, and it’s not going away anytime soon. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 878 construction workers died on the job in 2014 alone – that’s more than double the national average and higher than any other industry by far. If you’re planning on joining this sector as an employee or an employer, then you need to know what to watch out for so you can stay safe and healthy on the job site.

General dangers of construction

Construction is a dangerous line of work. Everyday, thousands of construction workers are injured or killed on their jobs. The most common causes of death on construction sites are falls, electrocutions, and being struck by an object. Furthermore, there were a total of 238,000 injuries reported at construction sites across the United States in 2016 alone. On top of this shocking amount of accidents that occur every year, there are many other dangers that can be avoided with proper safety precautions.

Falls

One of the most common accidents that occur during construction is falls. Falls can happen for a number of reasons, such as tripping or slipping on something or climbing an object that turns out to be unstable. Falls often result in serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries and even death.

Electrocution

Construction workers are at a high risk of being electrocuted because they often work with metal scaffolding, live wires, and power tools. Even being near electricity can be dangerous.
A recent study found that construction workers were twice as likely as other occupations to die from an electric shock.
There's no way of knowing whether or not you're near power lines when you're on a construction site, so it's important for everyone to take precautions.

Caught between objects

When workers are caught between two objects, it is often referred to as being crushed. This type of accident often leaves the worker with severe injuries including bruising, broken bones, or even death. Workers are at an increased risk for this type of injury when they are on top of a building roof or working in confined spaces. In some cases, this can also lead to electrocution if they come into contact with exposed electrical wiring.

Wrong place at the wrong time

Construction accidents are one of the most common causes of workplace injuries. They result from a wide variety of events, such as falls from heights, contact with dangerous machinery or equipment, being struck by a falling object and electrocution. Construction workers often find themselves in situations that may lead to an accident with little warning. You can help prevent these accidents by following basic safety precautions when on site.