As a construction worker, you face countless on-the-job hazards that threaten your physical well-being. While as a construction worker, you must do your part to say alert and safe on the job, some of these hazards present more of a threat than others. The vast majority of today’s construction worker fatalities result from the same four elements, known as the industry’s “Fatal Four.”
According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, construction industry deaths comprise more than a fifth of all work-related fatalities occurring on U.S. soil. Construction’s Fatal Four caused almost 60% of those construction worker fatalities, suggesting that industry employers must do more to eliminate associated risks.
The Fatal Four Accidents in Construction Sites
What are the four most common accidents in construction sites? Are these the major causes of construction worker deaths in America?
Falls are the Most Common Accidents in Construction Sites
Falls claim the top spot and were by far the most common cause of death, causing 33.5% of construction worker fatalities in 2018.
Objects Falling or Striking Construction Workers
The second most common cause of construction workers is when objects strike construction workers, leading to injuries. Such circumstances may arise when heavy tools fall to the ground from scaffolding, or when a swinging or flying object strikes a worker on a construction site. These circumstances contributed to about 11% of 2018’s construction worker deaths.
Construction Site Electrocutions
Taking the third spot were electrocutions, which were responsible for 8.5% of 2018’s construction industry deaths.
Construction Workers Can’t Escape
The industry’s fourth-leading cause of death involved construction workers who found themselves stuck between equipment, objects or collapsing structures.
Possible Liable Parties for Accidents in Construction Sites
When construction workers die on the job, there may be several negligent parties that contributed to the death. Depending on circumstances, these parties might include the employer, the contractor or subcontractor, the engineer or the equipment manufacturer, among others.
Contact the Construction Injury Attorneys at Curcio Law Firms
Accidents in construction sites happen more often that you would think. If you or a loved one has suffered while working on a construction site, contact a Chicago construction accident lawyer at Curcio Law Offices. We offer free consultations and have a proven track record in this field. For more information, fill out our online form or call 312-321-1111.
