Employers have a legal responsibility to provide every employee with a safe workplace. Unfortunately, employers too often fall short, sometimes stressing profits and efficiency over safety.
The high rate of workplace injuries was one of the primary factors that gave rise to the modern workers' compensation system. Although there has been progress, there is still room for improvement. One government agency tasked with supervising workplace conditions is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
According to OSHA, 12 workers die every day in the United States and over 3 million workers are injured each year. Many of these accidents are serious, leaving workers unable to provide for themselves and their families.
Leading Causes of Construction Fatalities: The "Fatal Four"
Perhaps not surprisingly, construction sites are one of the most dangerous workplaces. Construction accidents accounted for one-fifth of all private industry fatalities in 2010. Out of 4,070 fatalities, 751 occurred on construction sites. The leading causes of death on construction sites are termed the "fatal four": falls, electrocution, being struck by objects and being caught in between objects.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, eliminating these leading causes of construction site fatalities would save 431 workers' lives every year. The tragedy with workplace accidents is that many are easily avoidable with proper equipment and safety procedures. The top construction site violations cited by OSHA investigators include scaffolding, fall protection, respiratory protection, electrical wiring and machines.
Under OSHA guidelines, employers are responsible for ensuring that equipment is operationally safe and workers are properly trained. Unfortunately, OSHA only has about 2,200 inspectors who are responsible for finding workplace safety violations. The burden really falls on employers to ensure they are providing their employees with the proper equipment and safety training.
If you have been injured while working on a construction site contact an experienced workers' compensation attorney. A lawyer can advise you of your rights and options to receive compensation for your injuries.
