Construction accidents can turn very serious very quickly. Workers in Arizona who are dealing with heavy equipment, deadlines and a fast-paced environment may have accidents that can range anywhere from minor to major. Minor injuries may involve scrapes and bruises, but a major equipment malfunction or accident with heavy machinery could end in severe work injuries or even death. While the construction industry can see all manner of work-related accidents, there are four major accident groups that fatal injuries fall under.
According to information from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), in 2013 there were 3,929 work fatalities in private industry. Of those deaths, 796 were in construction. The top four categories of injury included falls, strikes from objects, electrocutions and caught-in/between. The percentage breakdown of these types of deadly accidents was as follows: 36.9% falls, 10.3% struck by object, 8.9% electrocutions and 2.6% caught-in/between. According to the information from OSHA, if these four types of fatal injuries were eliminated, 468 workers’ lives would be saved every year in the United States.
Employers have responsibility for a work environment which has improper safety procedures or protocols. Workplace safety is important for both construction industry employers and employees. Preventing accidents helps boost morale and establish efficient work environments, which in turn benefits the bottom line. If a construction worker is hurt, that worker has important rights and workers’ compensation benefits following an accident. If someone is killed in a fatal accident, their families may be able to receive compensation.
Both injured workers and grieving families find themselves in an extremely tough situation after a construction accident. Understanding the four most common type of construction accident fatalities is just one step on the path towards comprehending what happened and why. An Arizona construction accident attorney can help a worker or family find answers and learn more about their rights.
Source: United States Department of Labor, “Commonly Used Statistics,” accessed Oct. 12, 2014
