| Working in the construction industry can | | | | worker can lead to a dangerous situation |
| be dangerous. The nature of the work | | | | in an instant. |
| carries risks, and accidents can result | | | | With the proper safety training, |
| in serious injuries or even death. | | | | awareness of your rights and |
| OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health | | | | responsibilities, and vigilance against |
| Administration) law requires employers | | | | hazardous work conditions you can |
| to provide a work place that is safe and | | | | reduce, if not eliminate altogether, |
| free from hazards. Yet, everyday | | | | your risk of being injured at work. Here |
| construction workers face dangers that | | | | are some things you can do. |
| threaten their health and lives. | | | | - Take advantage of training programs |
| According to OSHA, each year | | | | provided by your employer, your union, |
| - A 1000 workers die in construction | | | | and your safety society. |
| related accidents | | | | - Observe safety rules and regulations |
| - A quarter of a million workers suffer | | | | at all times. |
| injuries resulting in lost work days | | | | - Know your equipment and use them |
| - Construction accidents cost the | | | | correctly. |
| industry $13 billion in workers | | | | - Wear and use the right personal |
| compensation cost alone | | | | protective equipment at all times. |
| OSHA statistics also show that 90% of | | | | - Use proper barriers and guards always. |
| the fatalities occur in four categories | | | | - Dont take short cuts with fire, |
| - Caught between objects | | | | electrical, or fall protection safety |
| - Struck by objects | | | | equipment. |
| - Electrocution | | | | - Be sure to crib, block and secure all |
| - Falls | | | | loads as soon as possible. |
| These accidents are, therefore, | | | | - Take the time to do the job correctly. |
| preventable and can be avoided with the | | | | - Report unsafe work conditions. |
| proper safety training, precaution, and | | | | - Refuse to work in unsafe conditions. |
| common sense. | | | | - Watch a free construction safety video |
| Construction work can indeed be | | | | online by visiting |
| dangerous. The line between a near miss | | | | - Above all, be alert. It's your life |
| and a fatality is thin. Although, the | | | | and health that is at risk. |
| government will enforce safety and | | | | If you notice a hazardous situation at |
| health laws and employers have an | | | | work you should bring it to the |
| obligation to provide a safe and healthy | | | | immediate attention of your employer, |
| workplace, it is still your | | | | your craft steward, or OSHA. |
| responsibility, and you owe it to | | | | To report an emergency, fatality, or |
| yourself and your loved ones, to stay | | | | imminent life threatening situation to |
| safe and out of harms way. | | | | OSHA call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY |
| Government regulators and inspectors | | | | 1-877-889-5672. |
| cannot be present at construction sites | | | | To report other unsafe work conditions |
| at all times and, due the nature of the | | | | contact your local OSHA regional office. |
| construction business, employers cannot | | | | You can file a report online or by fax, |
| guarantee a 100% safe work place. Simple | | | | mail, and telephone. You can request |
| things such as a change in the weather | | | | anonymity and OSHA will respect your |
| or the momentary inattention of a fellow | | | | request. Here are some useful links. |