In California, construction reigns as the most dangerous industry by far for employees and visitors to construction sites. Because the risks involved in working construction are well-documented, there are many strict regulations surrounding how foremen and construction companies should operate to maintain diligent safety standards. Unfortunately, construction accidents may still occur due to lax enforcement of safety standards. For this reason, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), has published a list of some of the deadliest construction accidents to raise awareness of the dangers in working on a construction site and encourage greater adherence to regulations.
Frequency of Construction Accidents
California is a hot spot for building and construction of new homes, shopping centers, and other amenities. With thousands of construction sites across the state, it’s no wonder that the construction industry experiences the second highest rate of nonfatal injuries, second only to agriculture. In 2023, out of every 100 workers on construction sites, 3.2 experienced a nonfatal construction accident.
Causes of Construction Accidents
Construction sites are the meeting place of many heavy materials, large machines, and unstable or incomplete surfaces. This makes for the perfect storm of factors that can cause a construction accident. Hundreds of construction workers may be on-site at the same time, increasing the margin for accidents and errors exponentially. Typically, construction accidents are caused by negligence or lax adherence to safety protocols.
The Fatal Four
OSHA has done extensive research on the dynamic nature of construction sites and has determined that most fatal construction accidents occur during one of four different situations. These “Fatal Four” have informed many strict regulations involving how construction workers perform their roles on sites.
Caught-Between/In
Often caused by machinery, these horrible accidents can severely damage appendages, especially, up to and including broken bones and amputation. Workers who experience caught-between/in accidents are often stuck between two construction vehicles or have been injured or killed by placing their arms or legs into machinery to reach or repair something.
Electrocution
For those who work on buildings earlier in the process, electrocution may not be as much of a concern. However, workers who are on-site while or after electrical systems are installed face a unique danger. Some individuals may experience electrocution by accidentally nicking power cables with tools during the building process, by grabbing electrically charged wires that should have been turned off or covered, and by installing light fixtures or outlets. When working with electrical systems, always ensure the power is turned off before touching wiring.
Falls
Accounting for nearly half of all construction accident deaths, slips, trips, and falls are woefully common on construction sites due to the use of many materials and multiple contractors at once. Though there are strict regulations that determine when workers must wear harnesses while working high off the ground, it is up to the foreman to ensure workers follow protocols to stay safe. Falls may include tripping over cables or materials, falling off unsecured scaffolds, or even slipping on painted or wet surfaces.
Struck-By
Struck-by incidents often occur due to negligence. Typically, a worker may be struck in the head or body by heavy materials that are being moved across the construction site unsecured. Struck-by accidents may also encompass being hit by construction vehicles, personal vehicles on site, and cargo trucks.
Finding a Reliable Construction Accident Attorney in California
The Fatal Four are a sobering reminder of the risks associated with construction. Though these are the deadliest types of incidents, these are not the only kinds out there. If your loved one was killed while working construction, you may choose to investigate the matter with a help of a construction accident attorney also known as Abogado de accidentes de construcción en California who is experienced in collecting evidence in construction accident wrongful death cases. The construction accident lawyers at Abogados Fuertes can provide a free consultation to determine if you have a case and help you determine your legal options.