Posted in Wisconsin Workers Compensation Related News
When you or a loved one have been hurt on a construction site it is often in your best interest to seek out a personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee, WI for help. There are a fair amount of risks that come with being on a construction site. That is why it has been reported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that nearly 20% of worker fatalities were in construction injuries.
There is a list of the “Fatal Four” causes of fatalities on contractions sites. These four types are responsible for over half the deaths of workers. Those four are falls, being struck by an object, electrocutions, and being caught in between objects.
Falling from heights is a common construction accident. Often they are preventable and that is what makes them so dangerous. Falls account for 40% of construction-related injuries. Here are some of the ways that falling from heights can be prevented:
- Protect Sides, wall openings, and floor holes. Most buildings under contraction don’t have door handles, handrails, or other protections installed when the construction crew is working. Ensuring that the worksite is properly lit and the crew is notified of openings and holes can help keep them safe. There should be guardrails and a toeboard around every elevated platform, floor, and runway.
- Proper Scaffolding. All scaffolding must have guardrails. Not only that it is important to pay attention to the placement of heavy equipment or building materials that are placed on the scaffolding. If the scaffold has limited space and capacity to hold weight, always check before climbing up or placing something new on it.
- Installing guards on exposed rebar. Exposed steel rebar can become highly dangerous fairly quickly. If a worker were to fall onto the steel rebar they could become impaled, injured in other ways, or even killed. Guards or barricades can help protect workers from such accidents.
- Correctly using ladders. All ladders should be positioned so that it is steady and on even ground. Ladders should also be checked routinely to ensure that they are free of damages or defects to keep workers safe.
- Using protective equipment. This means that the use of safety harnesses and lines, stair rails, handrails, and other tools are used properly to keep workers safe. Work boots, hard hats, and other gear like eye protection are also important in reducing the risk of injury that could be done.
When it comes to the safety of those on construction sites, everything must be accounted for. Always make sure that people are aware of potential dangers and make sure all equipment is up to date and safe to use. If you or a loved one have been hurt while on a construction site don’t hesitate to reach out to a personal injury lawyer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Hickey & Turim, SC to learn more about what we can do for you.
