While any occupation comes with potential, people in the construction industry face additional risk factors.
If injured on the job, it may have deadly or long-term consequences that mean no longer being able to work. Even after following safety standards and taking precautions, accidents still happen. Knowing the most common types may create extra diligence.
1. Experiencing a fall
Across the board, falls take the top spot as the greatest risk factor. In the construction industry, those rates greatly increase. While many people may think of falling off of scaffolding or a roof, a high percentage of falls occur on the same level. Key hazards include improper use of ladders, not using fall protection and navigating uneven surfaces. Any fall has the potential to lead to minor and severe injuries, including broken bones, brain injuries and trauma to the spinal cord.
2. Getting struck by a falling object
Even a person who focuses on working safely still faces risks, especially from above. From weather conditions to misplacing a tool, debris and unsecured items create a high risk for injury. When using power tools, the constant movements may cause objects to loosen and fall. While a hard hat provides some security, the impact of an object may still cause a concussion or serious trauma.
3. Malfunctioning equipment
Wherever construction happens, it requires heavy-duty equipment. From human error to the equipment not properly working, any type of machinery may cause severe injuries, including lacerations and amputations. Construction employees always face the risk of getting stuck between failing equipment and another object.
Even if a workplace injury seems small, it may have long-lasting effects that take time to appear.