The construction industry is potentially dangerous for workers. One of every five workers fatalities in this country involved construction accidents. Other startling statistics for 2019 compiled earlier this year demonstrate the need for effective safety programs at construction sites.
Fatal four
There are four major causes of construction deaths, known as the fatal four. Falls were responsible for 33.5 percent of fatalities, being struck by an object was involved in 11.1 percent of deaths, electrocutions were involved in 8.5 percent of deaths and 5.5 percent of fatal injuries involved workers being caught in or between an object.
There is a 1 in 200 chance that a construction worker will be killed in a work-related accident over a 45-year career. Companies with no more than 10 employees have almost half of all construction site deaths.
Non-fatal injuries
Each year, one in ten construction workers are injured. Non-fatal injuries in construction are 71 percent higher than any other occupation even though half of serious workplace injuries each year are unreported. Workers between 35 and 45 years-old are the most likely to be injured in construction.
The leading causes of nonfatal injuries were lifting or using a tool or machine and carrying heaving objects. Almost 30 percent of nondeadly injuries were caused by slipping, tripping, and falling.
Costs
A fatal injury, on average, costs $991,027 in hospital costs. Indirect costs can be as much as 17 times more than direct costs.
Construction injuries have high workers’ compensation costs. Construction spends 71 percent more on workers’ compensation than all good-producing industries combined and twice as much as the mean cost for other industry employers. Fifteen percent of all workers compensation costs were spent on work-related construction injuries.
Safety measures
Safety saves lives, health, and money. Safety and health programs are only 2.5 percent of project costs while injuries constitute six to nine percent of costs.
Eliminating the fatal four causes of construction injuries would save 591 worker lives each year in this country. Better and more ongoing training, routine inspections, and regular health and safety meetings with supervisors could lower costs, reduce lost-time injuries, and raise profits.
Every crew member, even experienced workers, should regularly attend training and safety meetings. Simple safety methods, like the three points of contact rule for climbing, should be taught again.
An attorney can assist you with a potentially complicated construction accident claim. They can help you pursue your rights to compensation and damages for your loss.
