The construction industry is always growing. Over the last decade, it increased about 25%, with more than 11 million construction workers in the United States.
It is also considered one of the most dangerous industries to work in, in part because of this sheer size. Every year, the largest percentage of fatal accidents on the job happen in construction. This is not the most per capita, but the fact that you have over 11 million workers who are exposed to these risks just means that there are going to be a very high number of serious accidents.
Why else is construction so dangerous and what can you do to work safely? Let’s take a look at some of the risks.
Many people are injured in falls
If you break down the ways that people get hurt on the job, it’s often a fall. This is why it’s so important to use fall protection systems when you’re working at heights and to inspect ladders or scaffolding systems if you’re ever setting them up. It may take a little longer to do things slowly and carefully, but you can help to reduce the most serious risk that you face.
Working around heavy equipment
Construction also carries a lot of risks just because you have to use power tools and heavy equipment on a consistent basis. Even if you are well trained and you know how to do this properly, it’s always going to be more dangerous to use something like a miter saw in a construction setting than it would be to use a computer in an office setting. These are some of the inherent risks of the industry that all workers must contend with.
What happens if you do get injured?
You know that you’re at a high risk of a serious injury, and that can have a dramatic impact on your life. It’s not just the medical bills. You could also lose wages if you’re out of work and you could lose future income if you can’t return to work. Construction is a very physical job, so many people with serious injuries find that they can’t do it anymore.
If something like this has happened to you, especially if you’re the main breadwinner in your family, it’s critical that you understand all the rights you have to workers’ compensation.