The Most Common Causes of Construction Site Falls
America was built by construction workers. Every structure you see in Ohio was put together and maintained by people working in the building trades.
Construction work is difficult and dangerous. That’s why OSHA has strict codes to protect construction workers from harm. When building companies cut corners and violate the law, people get hurt.
Falls are among the most dangerous types of construction injuries. In a recent year, over 351 fatalities were caused by worker falls to a lower level, according to OSHA. These injuries account for more than one-third of all accidental deaths suffered at construction sites. That’s why fall protection is one of the most important ways to preserve the health and safety of construction workers.
How Unsafe Conditions Cause Falls
There are various situations where construction workers are above the ground, such as ladders, scaffolds, roofs, lifts, elevated platforms, and aeriel lifts. And all types of construction workers can be found in these places, including roofers, carpenters, glaziers, metalworkers, electricians, pipefitters, masons, solar installers, ironworkers, and plumbers.
Construction companies must take active measures to protect workers from the following hazards:
- Unsafe edges. Hazards include a lack of protective restraints, no stops such as safety nets, and insufficient barriers like guardrails or scaffolding.
- Roofs. Hazards include falling from unguarded edges, sliding down a steep pitch, and falling through openings created by unfinished projects such as skylights.
- Lifts. Hazards include tilting, swaying, heavy winds, and tripping over objects such as buckets and poles.
- Ladders. Hazards include defective ladders with broken rungs, unsafe positioning, poorly secured ladders, and using the wrong ladder for the job.
- Tripping and slipping. Hazards include unsecured tools and building materials and slipping on liquids such as paint, solvents, water, and cleaning solutions.
How to Prevent Cleveland Construction Falls
One of the main reasons falls occur is that supervisors encourage people to work too fast. Foremen must slow down, stress safety, and make sure workers have all the necessary equipment and training to stay safe.
The following safety measures are required to prevent injuries and save lives:
- Regular safety inspections
- Designated safety officers
- Cover all openings
- Remove debris right away
- Mandatory safety training
- Ladders in good repair
- Scaffolding that’s tightly fastened
- Posted safety procures and protocols
- Safety harnesses with secure buckles and line
- Safety harnesses that are firmly tied to an anchor
Injuries Caused by Construction Falls
A fall can happen anywhere there’s a hole, obstruction, or drop-off. And you only have to fall a few feet to suffer serious injuries. Fall injuries that we frequently encounter with our clients at George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law, include:
- Bone fractures
- Lacerations
- Loss of limb
- Paralysis
- Broken hips
- Skull fractures
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
We’ve Won Millions of Dollars for our Clients
Always do the following if you’re injured on a job site:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Inform your supervisor about the accident.
- Contact a Cleveland workers’ comp attorney.
At George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law, we’ll fight to make sure you get all the compensation you deserve to help you cover your medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation, and other expenses.
Call George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law, at (216) 621-3930 to schedule a FREE consultation today.