Construction workers in New Jersey face many risks for accidents on the job. In fact, construction is considered one of the most dangerous fields to work in. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, there are four types of accidents that cause over half of construction deaths every year.
#1: Falls
Falls can occur in many ways on a construction site. Workers can slip and trip on the same level, or they can fall from heights while working up on roofs or on a multi-story building project. Safety harnesses, guardrails and safety nets can help to prevent some of the worst types of construction-related falls.
#2: Struck by object
Injuries from being struck by objects result in thousands of workers’ compensation claims each year. These injuries may occur when objects fall from heights or when electric tools cause materials to fly into workers’ faces. Car accidents are also included in this category.
#3: Electrocution
Workers that use power tools or install electrical wires in buildings can be at risk for electrocution injuries. Electrocution injuries can range from burns to cardiac arrest. Personal protective equipment and proper handling of electrical equipment can cut down on these devastating injuries.
#4: Caught-in/between
Caught-in/between accidents occur when a construction worker is caught in between two or more things, one of which could be the wall. Getting pulled into machinery or buried under collapsing materials are accidents that are included in this category. One way to prevent these accidents is to take precautions any time you are working in between an immovable object and a heavy piece of equipment.
Healing from injuries can take time
Non-fatal construction-related injuries can take time to fully heal. If you return to work too soon after a serious accident, you may be more likely to have another accident. As long as your injury occurred while you were working, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits.