| The construction site is one of the most | | | | - Contractors and subcontractors should also hire |
| dangerous places anybody can be in. The place is | | | | employees that are not just good at what they |
| teeming with activity. Several people are doing | | | | do but also have a record of being careful in |
| different things, using various tools in just a single | | | | following all job safety rules. |
| location. All these activities can bring about | | | | - Workers should be given proper protective gear |
| different accidents such as: falls, electrocutions, | | | | such as hard hats, goggles and gloves. |
| scaffolding accidents, accidents caused by falling | | | | - But most importantly, all construction workers |
| objects, accidents caused by power tools, heavy | | | | must have proper training especially those who |
| equipment accidents, cave-ins or collapse of walls | | | | operate heavy equipment and power tools. |
| during excavation or trenching, stepladder | | | | The Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| accidents, accidents involving chemicals, fire, | | | | (OSHA) is a federal agency that was created for |
| explosions and many more. These accidents often | | | | American workers. Their mission statement is "to |
| result in deaths or devastating injuries. | | | | assure the safety and health of America's |
| What causes these accidents? | | | | workers by setting and enforcing standards; |
| - Falling debris. | | | | providing training, outreach, and education; |
| - Equipment that is not maintained and serviced | | | | establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual |
| regularly. | | | | improvement in workplace safety and health." |
| - Carelessness when using cranes, forklifts and | | | | They have inspectors who go to construction |
| dump trucks. | | | | sites (and other workplaces) to ensure that all |
| - Exposed high voltage wires overhead or power | | | | safety and health concerns of American workers |
| lines that are dug up during excavation. | | | | are being met. |
| - Holes on the floor and open sides. | | | | But even with all the necessary precautions being |
| - Going up and down stairs without rails. | | | | taken in construction sites, accidents still happen. |
| - Ladders and scaffoldings that are not secured | | | | Many of these accidents result in deaths and |
| properly. | | | | those who survive may suffer injuries that may |
| - Exposed stakes or rebars. | | | | require weeks, months or even years of medical |
| - Workers not wearing the proper eye and ear | | | | treatment. Often, worker's compensation is not |
| protection required for the job. | | | | enough to cover all medical expenses that involve |
| - Power tools not having proper guards in place. | | | | serious injury. These workers can ask a personal |
| - No fall protection gear (anchors with an attached | | | | injury lawyer to help them get compensation |
| lifeline meant to stop a fall) provided for the | | | | beyond worker's compensation from their |
| workers. | | | | employers. It is the personal injury lawyer's job to |
| What measures can be done to prevent these | | | | help his/her client reach a successful claim from |
| accidents from happening? | | | | the company or person that may be responsible |
| - It is the responsibility of the general contractor | | | | for his/her client's injuries. |
| and all subcontractors of a construction site to | | | | If you or someone you know need the services |
| create a safe work site. | | | | of a personal injury lawyer, you can go online and |
| - All heavy equipments and power tools should be | | | | choose from a roster of experts in this field. |
| constantly maintained and serviced. | | | | |