Every year, thousands of construction workers are seriously injured or killed in workplace accidents. Although measures might have been put in place to make these work zones safe, there are still inherent risks.

Some of the most common dangers on constructions sites include the following, which the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls the “fatal four” construction hazards:

• Falls — Falls are one of the most common causes of serious injury and death in the construction industry. They can occur when workers slip on a wet surface, trip over an object in their path or fall from scaffolding. A construction worker who slips off a roof or trips over a cord and falls down a flight of stairs could be seriously injured or even killed in the fall. OSHA estimates that falling accidents accounted for almost 400 deaths in 2020 alone.
• Being struck by an object — Objects falling and striking workers on the head or body can cause serious damage, and an estimated 10 percent of all workplace fatalities in the construction industry are attributed to these accidents. This can happen when a loose piece of equipment falls from a height and strikes a worker below or when a worker is hit by a flying object such as a piece of debris. 
• Electrocutions — Electrocutions are another one of the leading causes of construction workplace fatalities in the United States and occur as a result of contact with overhead power lines, improper grounding of electrical equipment, defective wiring and overloaded circuits.
• Caught-In/Between — A worker can be crushed or pinned between two objects, such as a wall and a piece of heavy machinery. Sometimes workers can even get caught inside of heavy machinery. The construction industry is particularly vulnerable to these hazards, as workers are often handling heavy equipment and materials. Workers should always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working around heavy machinery, and barriers should be placed between workers and any moving parts.

Getting hurt in a construction site accident could leave you with lifelong injuries that require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. If you were injured on a construction site, working with a seasoned personal injury attorney could help you get the compensation you need.

If you’re looking for Atlanta personal injury lawyers, Jason & Bradley, LLC in Stone Mountain is here to help with your injury claims. Contact us to set up a free consultation by calling 404-297-9933 or by filling out our online form.