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Construction accident claims the life of Midtown worker

On Behalf of | Jan 21, 2020 | Construction Accidents

Many people rely on the construction industry–our city is continuously growing and changing. This development couldn’t happen without men and women dedicating themselves to building the world around us. Unfortunately, that job can come with severe risks to their well-being.

This past October, a construction worker lost his life in Midtown. An elevator at the site crushed him after he bent down to pick up his phone. An accident like this should never have occurred, but deaths and severe injuries are all too common in the industry.

Construction companies have a responsibility to ensure safe working conditions for their crew. While it’s true accidents happen, no one should have to fear for their life when going to work. There are ways to make these sites as safe as possible so workers can do their jobs without worry.

Common construction site accidents

It’s a sad fact that 1 in 5 worker deaths happen in the construction industry. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the four most common accidents are falls, being struck by objects at the construction site, electrocutions and accidents involving equipment or structures crushing workers. All these categories are areas in which construction companies are deficient when it comes to safety.

Serious injuries or death from falls are most likely to occur from multistory projects. When workers need to do their job from high places, they should always have proper safety equipment that keeps them from falling.

Loose objects dropping from high places are also a significant source of injuries. They always need to be secure. These things can include materials and tools which vary greatly in size and weight. Because there’s a constant risk of something falling, hard hats are an absolute necessity at a construction site.

Companies can cut down on electrocutions and accidents involving crushing by using proper warnings. If there is a live wire or increased danger involving electricity, it should always have clear signage. Likewise, areas and equipment that may harm workers should be marked. Educating about the risks of both before construction begins could also help decrease the rate of accidents.

Construction workers have a right to a workplace that follows proper safety protocols and makes a great effort to ensure the well-being of its employees. There’s no excuse for dangerous practices that leave workers open to the risk of harm.

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