Types of Construction Site Accidents

Construction site accidents and injuries happen on a regular basis and are oftentimes quite serious. Due to the nature of construction jobs, many who are involved in these types of accidents suffer life-changing injuries. There are many different types of construction accidents, many of which can be fatal. According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are more than 3.5 million nonfatal injuries and illnesses reported each year, 9 percent of which involve construction workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that nearly 5,000 construction workers sustain fatal injuries on the job every single year. While there are numerous policies in place designed to protect construction workers, accidents are inevitable.

Construction Site Accident Statistics 

Here are a few additional statistics about construction site accidents:

• Over the course of a 45-year construction career, a worker has a 1 in 200 chance of being injured fatally
• Falls are the number one cause of fatal construction injuries
• Ironwork is listed as the most dangerous job within the construction industry
• The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports approximately 150,000 construction site accidents every single year
• Construction workers between the ages of 25 and 34 are most likely to be injured in a construction site accident
• The majority of construction site injuries involve the workers’ backs, spines, and trunks

We hope these statistics give you a better idea of how serious construction site accidents are in the United States. As you can see, construction accidents are far more common than many realize and can result in life-changing injuries.

Common Construction Accidents 

Now that we have looked at some of the most eye-opening statistics pertaining to construction site accidents, let’s take a look at some of the most common types of construction accidents:

• Electrocution
• Falls
• Burn accidents
• Chemical spills
• Structure collapse
• Vehicle accidents
• Exposure to chemicals
• Falling objects
• Equipment-related accidents
• Backovers and crushed-betweens
• Fires and explosions
• Trench collapses
• Repetitive motion accidents
• Heat stroke and overexertion
• Lead poisoning
• Respiratory diseases

In many cases, construction accidents occur because of negligence on the part of those in charge. In order to ensure construction workers and site visitors are safe, it is imperative for employers and site managers to do everything in their power to drive home proper safety protocol. There are numerous important safety regulations put in place by OSHA and the state of Texas, all of which are designed to protect workers and anyone who visits a construction site. If you or a loved one was injured in a construction site accident, we encourage you to contact an attorney from Rad Law Firm. We will go over your case with you and determine who was at-fault and how to proceed from there.