While any type of workplace injury has the potential to be serious, construction accidents can be particularly dangerous and life-threatening. Sadly, in San Bernardino, and all over California, these accidents continue to claim too many lives at an alarming rate and it is important for people who work in the construction trades to understand the dangers they face every day. From a scaffolding fall to an electrical accident or defective power tool accident, there are a wide variety of risks on the job.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration provides some startling statistics on their website which show just how many people have been killed in construction accidents. According to OSHA, 828 construction workers lost their lives in private industry workplace accidents during calendar year 2013. Furthermore, OSHA pinpointed four significant causes of fatal construction accidents, which include falling, being struck by objects, electrocution and being caught-in/between. In 2013, these four types of construction accidents were responsible for 57 percent of all construction worker fatalities. If these four causes were eliminated, OSHA estimates that 478 construction worker lives would be saved in America every year.
If you are a construction worker, it is vital to keep safety in mind at all times while working. Unfortunately, accidents can’t always be prevented, no matter how many safety precautions are taken. If you have lost a family member or suffered injuries in a construction accident and don’t know what to do, you should explore your options right away.
The information presented in this piece should not be considered legal advice.
