Blue-collar construction professionals can often earn competitive wages because of the skilled labor required of them. Wage premiums and competitive benefits are available in the construction sector because of the danger inherent in the career as well.
Construction work has a strong association with severe injury and premature mortality. There are certain hazards that play an outsized role in construction worker injuries and deaths. The five job risks below are all well-known and are, therefore, important for construction companies to address for worker safety.
Falls
Falls from a significant elevation are a leading cause of death and permanent injury in the construction sector. Employers can help prevent falls by providing appropriate training and safety equipment. Even workers fixing a roof on a two-story home may require harnesses to avoid falls that could lead to brain injuries, spinal cord damage and broken bones.
Electrocution
Some construction professionals work installing electrical supply lines. Others have to operate heavy machinery near overhead power lines. Many workers perform job responsibilities at locations with temporary electrical supply. Even power tools are a hazard that can lead to electrical shock. Employers really need to be proactive about complying with regulations, training workers and maintaining equipment for optimal safety.
Falling objects
All it takes is a muscle spasm for a worker 10 stories up to drop a hammer. Someone working on the ground level near them could end up permanently injured or worse because of that momentary issue. From tools and materials dropped by other workers to falling objects that cranes suddenly drop, there are many falling object hazards at any given construction site. Construction companies can often reduce the likelihood of objects falling by using tool tethers and employing proper caution when moving materials and equipment to significant elevations.
Struck-by incidents
Heavy moving machinery is a serious safety concern at any construction site. A worker operating a backhoe or similar piece of heavy equipment may not notice a coworker nearby and could make contact with them, causing permanent injury.
Caught-between incidents
Workers performing job tasks below grade entrenches are at risk of severe injury in a cave-in incident where the walls collapse. Workers can also get hurt if they get caught between two pieces of equipment or a piece of heavy machinery and a wall.
Being able to recognize the top hazards at a construction site can make it easier for workers to identify when a company hasn’t taken adequate steps for their protection. Injured workers and grieving families can sometimes pursue compensation in scenarios wherein regulatory violations and negligence lead to poor outcomes for professionals.