One of the unavoidable aspects of working on the construction site is the prevalence of Construction Safety Accidents. However, just because they are an unavoidable part of the industry doesn't mean one doesn't have to make an effort to reduce its occurrence. The next best thing to completing eliminating accidents is reducing them, or at least reducing the risk of them occurring. In order to achieve this objective, it is first best to understand what are currently the leading causes of accidents and fatalities on construction sites throughout the United States. Providing a solution to a problem is not impossible without first knowing the causes of a problem. All types of Construction Safety Accidents can be placed in 4 broad categories, which are shown below. Electrical Incidents Electricity is such an essential part of our daily lives that we sometimes tend to take it for granted. More importantly, we take for granted how dangerous a safety hazard such as electricity can really be. The OSHA or otherwise known as the Occupational Safety & Health Administration says that workers should not work near an electrical power circuit unless they are wearing adequate protection. Below are a number of hazards that electricity can pose: - Contact with power lines - Equipment not used properly - Extension cords not used properly Falls Construction always involves people climbing great heights. In the American construction industry, the leading causes of deaths is falls, and as a result, it must be treated seriously and appropriately. All construction safety plans must contain provisions in order to protect workers from falling from dangerous heights. Here are a couple of hazards to manage: - Unprotected sides - Bad scaffold construction - Portable ladders not used properly Struck-By This category refers to dangerous contact between humans and heavy equipment. In most cases, accidents and fatalities are caused by cranes and trucks. Apart from heavy vehicles, you must also watch out for falling objects and unstable walls. Trenching & Evacuation Contrary to popular belief, cave-ins are not the leading cause of accidents and fatalities when it comes to trenching. Here are a couple of other hazards to watch out for: - Not having enough oxygen in a closed space (which leads to asphyxiation) - Toxic fumes - Drowning - Unexpected contact with underground pipes and lines Now that you know the leading causes of Construction Safety Accidents, it's time to take appropriate and immediate action to minimize the chance of those occurring any time soon.
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