Ask anyone who works in the construction industry, and they’ll likely have plenty of stories to tell you about how dangerous their job is. Certain roles within this field leave workers more apt to suffer injuries than others.
Individuals who perform sewer or ductwork, work in high-rise construction or demolition, operate heavy equipment or use power tools have a significantly higher risk of getting hurt than others.
Factors that leave construction workers vulnerable to getting hurt
Federal data shows that the construction workers that are most vulnerable to getting hurt on the job are the ones that work on high-rise buildings. Occupational and Health Administration (OSHA) data shows that at least 40% of all construction-related deaths are attributable to falls. Factors such as inclement weather or wind can make it difficult for workers to remain steady on their feet and cause tools or heavy equipment, such as cranes, to easily become deadly projectiles.
Many people look at heavy machinery and assume that anyone who knows how to drive can easily figure out how to operate bulldozers, dump trucks or excavators. That’s not the case, though. Anyone operating this equipment should have training on using it correctly and what to do if it malfunctions to minimize their injury risk.
OSHA data shows that they can attribute as many as 37,000 emergency room visits to nail gun mishaps every year. Many jobs within the construction field involve a worker performing repetitive tasks. It’s not uncommon for someone to lose their focus because of this, causing them significant injuries.
Sewer or duct workers to have to deal with claustrophobia from working in tight, dark spaces. It’s not uncommon for them to suffer from asphyxia from the lack of ventilation or crush injuries after becoming trapped in cramped quarters.
Demolition work is also dangerous. It’s not uncommon for dislodged building materials to fall on them, crushing them beneath. Electrocution is also a reality that demolition workers face, especially if their heavy equipment severs a live wire and it falls on them.
You have rights if you suffered injuries on the job
Many construction workers know of the dangers of their job when agreeing to take on such a role. That doesn’t excuse a Philadelphia employer’s, colleague’s or a manufacturer’s negligence, though. A workers’ compensation attorney can advise you whether you qualify for benefits for your work-related injuries in your Pennsylvania case.