Construction is known for being a tough industry: long hours, demanding physical labor, exposure to the weather and elements. There is also great risk of injury due to the many moving parts on a construction site. Accidents and injuries that occur to workers on construction sites deserve compensation, and skilled workers’ compensation attorneys can help you receive adequate compensation, should you sustain an injury at work. The following are some of the major causes of construction workplace injury.

Heavy Machinery

There can be a lot of heavy machinery on a construction site: backhoes, forklifts, crane, the list goes on and on. Machinery is often involved in workplace accidents, particularly in construction, and machinery that is poorly maintained or not adequately serviced can malfunction or break down in ways that can result in injuries and accidents. Without proper safety training or training to properly operate the machinery, workers can also become injured, as can workers who lack the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear when using certain equipment.

Hearing loss

For construction workers, who are often around heavy machinery on loud job sites, hearing loss is a common occupational injury. If workers don’t have proper hearing protection to wear onsite, they are at even greater risk of hearing loss or injury to the inner ear.

Electrical injuries

Construction work often involves dealing with electrical wiring and power lines, both of which can cause injuries including burns, electrical shock, falls, or even electrocution. Electrical shock and burns can occur when the body comes into direct contact with an electrical source; electrocution occurs when an electrical shock is powerful enough to cause death. Falls often occur when workers are working on power lines at height, or receive an electrical shock and fall from an elevated position, such as a ladder. Without proper PPE, electrical training, or safety training, injury or death is even more likely when working with electricity.

Eye injuries

With so many different hazards and so much debris on construction sites, eye injuries are very common, and can have long term effects such as vision impairment or blindness. The risk of eye injury increases when workers lack access to eye protection and other crucial PPE.

Broken bones

Whether you fall or something falls onto you, there are many different ways a worker can sustain a broken bone on a construction site; broken bones are especially a risk in construction work, as often it involves working on ladders or elevated platforms from which one could fall, as well as working with heavy materials and structures that if not properly supported, could fall or be dropped onto a worker.

If you’ve been injured while working construction, don’t just accept it as par for the course. Even in industries with many hazards present, workers are still entitled to compensation when they’re injured on the job or sustain long-term disabilities or occupational diseases. For a free initial case evaluation, and for attorneys with experience and expertise, get in touch with The Epstein Law Firm.

Learn More About Accidents in Construction Zones