Preventing Texas Construction Site Injuries

Posted On May 27, 2010 In Legal Information

Despite improvements in technology and workplace training and awareness, construction work remains one of the most dangerous fields of employment. Workers face a variety of dangers everyday they report to the job as demonstrated by recent injuries and deaths covered in the news across the country.

Each of these examples occurred in the past few weeks. A Michigan man died in an accident while doing tree removal and operating a front-end loader. The man lost control of the machine while he was driving down a steep hill, which threw him from the cab. The machine then ran him over. A South Carolina man lost his arm in an accident while operating a forklift-like machine. He was driving the machine through a doorway when a beam then trapped his arm.

Four Texas construction workers suffered serious injuries last month while they working on a county justice center in San Antonio. The ceiling of the building collapsed, burying the four men in debris until fire crews were able to pull the men free. Two of the workers suffered life-threatening injuries. Construction work can be dangerous. If unsafe work conditions or negligent behavior on the part of your employer has caused you injury, a Lufkin injury lawyer can review your case and determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.

Steps to Prevent Construction Site Injuries

US Department of Labor studies indicate that the fatal injury rate for the construction industry is higher than every other industry. Employers can take steps to avoid deaths and serious injury by examining how accidents are mostly likely to occur. Some of the areas frequently involved in accidents and steps to prevent such accidents include:

• Scaffolding. Scaffolding should be able to hold its own weight and four times the maximum intended load. Workers should never use unstable objects to support the scaffolding.
• Falls. Falls are typically the reason for most construction deaths. Employers should use guardrails with toe boards to protect workers near the edges. They should also employ safety net or personal fall arrest systems, which can prevent injury in the event that a worker does in fact fall.
• Forklifts. Forklift injuries and deaths account for a large number of the 100 workers killed and 95,000 injured every year while operating heavy machinery. Employers must thoroughly train all operators of such machinery. Operators should always follow safe operating procedures, and employers should have repercussions for safety violations.

The preceding examples are just a sampling of some of the dangers that construction workers face. Employers should be aware of many other dangers. If poor workplace safety has caused injury to you or a loved one, contact a Lufkin injury attorney at Mike Love & Associates, LLC to learn how you can obtain compensation.