In order to best reduce the risk of construction injury, one must first identify the most common injuries and then take action to best avoid those injuries.
The field of construction often carries with it a significant risk of injury for construction workers. According to the CDC, there were 3.3 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses that were reported. Of those, 9 percent were experienced by construction workers. These construction workers experience 4.3 nonfatal injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time workers. If a construction site has seen its share of injured workers and wants to protect them from further injury, here are the most common construction injuries which could plague any construction site.
Falls
The most common type of injury is a fall. Construction workers are at risk from falls off of buildings, cranes, roofs, ladders, tripping on wires, and other such perils. Employers need to have a proper workers’ compensation insurance policy in place in order to avoid any potential lawsuits.
Equipment-Related Objects
Heavy equipment that is used at construction sites can pose a problem if they fall or malfunction, or if the worker is careless. For example, a forklift can go rogue, a steel beam could fall over unexpectedly, or a nail gun can misfire. Product liability insurance can help employers pay for any unexpected injuries due to their equipment.
Falling Objects
“Hard Hats Required” is not just a sign that all construction sites have coincidentally. Because of that pesky force called gravity, everything falls towards the earth at 9.8 meters per second². Tools and construction equipment may fall and cause a very serious brain or spinal injury, even if employers are wearing hardhats (if the object that falls has enough mass to overcome the protective layer offered by the hat).
Fires and Explosions
It may look like a spectacle from the movies, but real-life explosions can be deadly. Construction sites contain hazardous materials like exposed wiring, flammable chemicals, leaking pipes, and other things that may lead to a fire or explosion. While less common than the above, this has the capability to take out every single one of your employees in the blink of an eye. Make sure that you properly assess these risks throughout construction.
Repetitive Motion Injuries
Due to the hard labor that construction demands of its employees, repetitive motion can lead to a multitude of injuries that may take some time to manifest themselves. Repetitive motion can affect muscles and joints over time.
We at PMC Insurance Group are experts on workers’ compensation and will give you a policy that can protect your workers from dangers. To learn more about getting competitive coverage for your small business and construction clients, contact us today.
