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5 Most Common Construction Accidents And Tips For Staying Safe
Last Updated on: November 16th, 2024
Working on a construction site is an extremely common choice of profession, but it is also one that presents some of the greatest risks of danger to its workforce. The last thing any construction worker wants is to be involved in an accident that leaves them out of work while they heal or worse, permanently. Learn five of the most common types of construction accidents faced by workers so you can recognize the signs that one may be about to occur.
How Common Are Construction Accidents?
In previous years, fatalities resulting from slip and fall accidents on construction sites accounted for 46.1% of all fatalities in the same category. This is only one potential type of injury that construction workers face, going to show how dangerous the profession is. In addition to this, it?s estimated that in his 45-year career, a construction worker experiences 75% or the equivalent of a disabling injury.
5 Most Common On-Site Accidents
Avoiding construction accidents in the Bronx starts with learning what the most common on-site accidents at work look like. Below are the five most common types of accidents that a person can expect to face:
Brain And Head Injuries
There are a variety of different causes for brain and head injuries on a construction site, which is why it is one of the five most common injuries. Falling debris, slipping accidents that lead to a head collision, accidents with machinery, and more can all result in an injury to a person?s head. This can result in a concussion or a more debilitating penetrating head injury that can lead to years of being unable to work.
Vision Damage
One common type of injury that few people tend to think about is eye injuries of varying types. Specifically, on-site explosions resulting in debris flying or intense brightness resulting in temporary blindness should be among a person?s concerns. In addition to this, workers not wearing safety glasses and being on the wrong end of a malfunction with machinery can find themselves in a world of pain via eye damage.
Burns Via Flames Or Chemicals
For construction workers who actively work with various chemicals or flames, there is a risk of burning themselves while on the job. This can result in long-lasting pain and damage, potentially to your nerves, which leaves you unable to perform your daily tasks. This can leave you out of work for potentially years if the burn is severe enough.
Broken Bones
Similar to head injuries, construction workers are particularly at risk for generally broken bones due to falling debris. On top of this, however, construction workers often lift extremely heavy items in ways that put great stress on their joints and bones, which can quickly result in one or more broken bones if one wrong move is made. That’s why the important thing is to wear safety equipment, such as Metatarsal work boots.
Back Or Spinal Cord Injuries
On the same theme of lifting objects of a heavyweight, a person can quickly suffer a back or spinal cord injury from lifting something in the wrong way. Back injuries carry a particularly great risk of long-lasting symptoms which prevent a person from working for a number of years.
Everything You Need To Know To Stay Safe On A Construction Site
Understanding the common types of injuries which may occur on a construction site is only half the battle. There are a variety of additional tips which can help any worker stay safe on the job:
- Always wear personal protective equipment when you head out to a job site
- Try to limit the size of crowds that are gathered in a work area
- Foster a culture of safety with your other employees through safety training and other ways
- Always refresh your knowledge of past safety training
- Try to always keep a communication device handy in case you are injured while on your own
- Always make sure to label each of your chemicals and other items properly to avoid accidents
- Only make sure certified individuals use machinery that requires certification
- Never have substances while you are on the job
- Keep work sites as tidy as possible
The Bottom Line
Regardless of how many safety precautions a person takes, there is always a risk that an accident could occur which leaves them injured. That?s why always staying vigilant at a construction site, in addition to using safety tips, is so important. This can help to ensure that you recognize the signs that an accident is about to occur and take steps to avoid being involved in it.
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