Construction Safety Week, a nationwide initiative designed to raise awareness
about the industry’s mission to eliminate worksite accidents,
has been postponed due to COVID-19’s impact on the country and around the world. Safety
Week was originally supposed to be held the first week of May.
Started in 2014, Safety Week began with the partnership of the Construction
Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) and the Incident and Injury Free (IIF)
CEO Forum. The week is meant to thank construction workers for their service,
increase awareness of the importance of workplace safety, and provide
resources to educate others and improve safety culture.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was also supposed to hold its own National Safety Stand-Down initiative
this week, which they postponed. Their safety week was intended to raise
awareness about the construction industry’s fall hazards. Falls
from elevation are the leading cause of
death for construction employees, according to OSHA, accounting for 320 of the
1,0008 construction fatalities that were recorded in 2018.
Though Safety Week has been postponed, the risks associated with construction
work are still worth highlighting, especially now that COVID-19 exposure
is an added risk. This week, thousands of construction projects reopened
in New York City alone, known as the hardest-hit city in terms of COVID-19
fatalities. Now, many construction worker advocates are concerned with
existing working conditions and are calling for more safety measures put
in place to prevent possible exposure to COVID-19. Some suggestions include
staggered start times so large groups don’t work near one another
at the same time and additional sinks and water sources in place so workers
can wash their hands.
Common risks and hazards that workers face on construction sites include:
- Working from heights: Falls from heights are relatively common and can
cause serious injuries, including spinal cord and neck injuries, head
and brain trauma, paralysis, and more.
- Slip and falls: Construction workers can easily trip over machinery, debris,
and any spills or slippery surfaces.
- Absestos: Asbestos is often present in older buildings and homes that are
torn down or renovated, and exposure is known for causing lung cancer
in individuals.
- Electricity: Construction workers run the risk of getting shocked or electrocuted
when working with exposed and damages wiring.
- Handling heavy machinery and equipment: Whether injured due to defective
equipment or lack of training, construction workers can be seriously injured
by machinery such as cranes, bulldozers, forklifts, oil rigs, logging
equipment, and more.
- Falling materials: Flying rocks or bricks can injure nearby workers.
- Fires and explosions: Burns can be painful and costly to treat, and can
result in the loss of limbs, eyesight, and other more serious injuries.
While the construction industry is widely known for being dangerous and
full of risks that can cause bodily harm, that doesn’t mean that
companies and other parties should get away with negligence. Construction
workers who have been harmed should hire a personal injury lawyer to investigate
their accident and determine liability. Our team of professionals has
successfully recovered damages for construction workers over the years
including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and more.
Fighting for the Compensation You Deserve
For more than 40 years, our construction accident lawyers have represented
construction workers who have unfairly been injured on the job. We’re
not afraid to investigate accidents and hold negligent parties responsible,
from scaffolding companies to contractors to insurance companies. Those
who have violated OSCHA safety standards or neglected to provide a safe
environment for workers must be punished. After being injured, you can
either file for workers’ comp or a personal injury claim –
our team can help you explore your options and make a decision that benefits
you and your future.
The Law Office of James M. Stanley offers free consultations when you call
{F:P:Site:Phone}, or contact us online. Our team of personal injury attorneys believe that all construction workers
deserve to work in a reasonably safe environment. If your employer or
some other party has violated OSHA guidelines, we want to hear about it.