Oklahoma Construction Site Injury

As of 2018, 85,600 people were working in the construction field in Oklahoma, building and maintaining our infrastructure, workplaces, homes, and more. Unfortunately, the risks associated with working on a construction site are high, and people are getting injured every day.

Construction Site Statistics

Working on a construction site is a risky endeavor. Every day, construction workers handle hazardous building materials and electric wires, scale tall buildings, and operate heavy machinery. It’s no wonder that research has found that construction work is one of the most dangerous industries.

According to data by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, one in five worker deaths is in the construction business. These deaths were primarily caused by what OSHA calls the “Fatal Four.”

The “Fatal Four” indicates the following:

• Falls: 33.5% of construction site fatalities happen due to serious slips and falls. This can include incidents such as tripping over improperly placed construction equipment, falling into hazardous material, or falling off of poorly secured scaffolding and ladders.
• Struck by an object: 11.1% of construction site deaths happen when the worker gets hit by an object. This can include being struck by a flying object, like a misfired nail gun, or being struck by a falling object, such as a tool. This also includes being struck by a swinging object, such as heavy machinery, or being struck by a rolling object, such as a vehicle in motion.
• Electrocution: 8.5% of construction-site fatalities occur because of electrocution. This can occur when wires and other electrical conduits are not safely used or secured, or when workers are improperly trained in electric work.
• Caught in or in between an object: 5.5% of construction site deaths occur when a worker is caught in or in between an object. This can include cave-ins, body parts being pulled into machinery, or when the worker gets caught between the equipment and a fixed object.

OSHA has said that eliminating these causes would save almost 600 lives a year. While the “Fatal Four” are the most dangerous types of construction-site accidents, there are countless ways in which someone can be hurt while working on a construction site.

In the event of an accident, workers could suffer severe injuries that could have a lasting impact on their lives and livelihood. When this happens, they may need to turn to an experienced injury lawyer to help them get the workers’ compensation benefits they’re owed, or help them file a third-party injury claim. While not all workers are aware of their rights and legal options, a personal injury firm like this one, Abel Law Firm in Oklahoma City, could help them recover compensation. The firm lists the following as types of construction cases they handle:

• Construction Equipment Defect
• Construction Company Negligence
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Repetitive Motion Injuries
• Lifting Injuries
• Exposure to Toxic Substances
• Head/Brain Injuries
• Amputations

For injured workers, an accident could mean not just physical pain, but also serious financial stress and strain. For those whose paychecks are the primary or sole means of supporting themselves and their families, an accident could have a devastating impact on their life and livelihood.

For this reason, it is recommended that all employers provide a safe workplace and reinforce safety procedures. Employees should also pay attention to proper safety procedures and processes to keep themselves and their co-workers safe.

Jessica

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