According to the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, construction accidents are one of California’s leading causes of death. Thankfully, construction workers who have been injured at work are entitled to compensation, including reimbursement for medical and rehabilitation expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering. When a construction worker dies in a construction site accident, their family is also entitled to benefits.
Across the nation, construction accidents represent 20% of all work-related fatalities, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics. This post will explore the top four injury risks that California construction workers face on the job daily. By understanding these dangers, construction workers and their employers can be better equipped to avoid accidents.
#1. Falls
According to officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls represent the leading cause of construction-worker fatalities and account for one-third of all construction worker deaths. Although fall hazards are present in many sectors, the CDC says that fatal falls within the construction industry represent 51% nationally.
Although construction falls can kill, they are also preventable. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises using fall protection devices on construction sites.
#2. Falling or Flying Objects
Being struck by a flying or falling object is another major cause of workplace injury in California, with thousands of workers injured each year. Yet, nowhere is the threat more prevalent than on a construction site.
Anything can become a hazard on a construction site, from construction materials and personal items to tools, machinery, and even the safety equipment meant to protect workers. When an object falls from a great height, which is often the case in a falling or flying object incident on a construction site, the consequences can be severe. Traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and skull fractures are common falling debris injuries.
#3. Electrocutions
The CDC notes that the number and proportion of deaths from struck-by incidents and electrocutions decreased significantly across the country from 2018 to 2019, proving that both types of accidents are preventable through the implementation of appropriate measures.
Before beginning any construction site work, OSHA suggests that employers find and mark any and all utilities. The organization also suggests that electric tools be grounded or double-insulated.
It is also crucial that California construction workers remain aware of proper distance requirements whenever working near active power lines. The OSHA standards also require that employers whose workers are operating equipment within 20 feet of any power line ensure that utility operators have shut off power supplies.
4. Caught-between of Caught-in Incidents
The fourth significant injury risk to construction workers is what is known as a caught-between or caught-in incident. According to the CDC, injuries from this type of construction accident continue to rise, and in 2019, 59 construction workers died as a result.
This type of accident occurs primarily during excavation or when a piece of equipment traps a body part. In fact, OSHA reports that construction workers involved in excavation work are two times more likely to die in a construction accident than other construction workers.
Employers can prevent this type of accident using a protective system in trenches five feet deep or more. Trenches can be protected through sloping, benching, shoring, and trench shields.
How a California Construction Accident Attorney Can Help
Any construction worker who has suffered on-the-job injuries will want to ensure they receive the maximum coverage available through workers’ compensation. The best way is to hire an expert California Workers’ Compensation attorney.
The workers’ compensation experts and workplace injury attorneys from Aoudi Law can help. The professional staff at Aoudi Law has helped countless California construction workers get the compensation they deserve following a workplace injury. From electrocutions to falls and everything in between, Aoudi Law has you covered.
Call or text 714-862-1195 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you through the challenging California workers’ comp claim process.
