5 Common Construction Injuries and How to Prevent Them

Construction site accidents are a major problem in the construction industry, with hundreds of thousands of workers suffering from workplace accidents every year. Injuries can range from minor scrapes and bruises to serious life-threatening conditions. Fortunately, there are steps that construction companies and their employees can take to reduce the risk of construction injuries and workplace fatalities.

In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most common construction job injuries and give some of the best ways to prevent these injuries from happening.

Statistics on construction injury rates

Construction sites are a hive of activity, which opens them up to be dangerous for workers. Here are some numbers on these injuries:

• According to data from The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in 2019, "falls remain the leading cause of work-related deaths in construction, accounting for more than one in three." 

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that construction work is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States, ranking among the top cited violations in 2021.

• Based on statistics from the California Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), from 2013 to 2019, construction injuries accounted for 17% of fatal worker injuries. This was the second in that period.

This is concerning news not only because construction accidents and injuries lead to lost wages and medical expenses but because many construction sites lack proper safety training. These protocols could prevent such accidents from occurring in the first place. To tackle this problem head-on, it's important to understand more about construction injury rates in California so as to put measures into place that will help protect workers and reduce future incidents of workplace injuries and illnesses.

5 Common construction injuries and their causes

Construction workers are at a high risk of being injured on the job due to the hazardous nature of construction work. Here are 5 common construction injuries:

1) Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

One of the most dangerous threats to construction workers are MSDs. These types of accidents account for a large proportion of construction injuries, with back pain being one of the most commonly reported types. These types of injuries are caused by repeated exposure to physical activities such as lifting heavy objects or working in awkward postures over long periods of time without proper rest breaks or ergonomic equipment such as ladders or scaffolding platforms.

2) Burns

Burns are a serious yet frequent construction injury that can occur when construction workers come into contact with hot surfaces, electrical hazards, chemical exposure, or welding accidents. To prevent burns, construction workers should be trained to identify potential sources of danger on the construction site and take extra precautions such as wearing insulated clothing or flame retardant materials. The workplace should also have fire prevention measures in place to minimize risks.

3) Sprains and Strains

Construction workers are particularly prone to sprains and strains due to the amount of physical labor involved in construction work. Activities such as digging, carrying heavy objects, or working in awkward postures can cause overexertion of muscles that may lead to sprains or strains. To prevent these types of injuries, construction workers should be trained on proper lifting techniques, use appropriate tools such as ladders or scaffolding platforms when available, and take frequent breaks to rest.

4) Falls

Fall accidents from heights are a common construction site injury caused by failing to follow safety procedures while working at heights and building sites. To help prevent these serious accidents, construction employers should ensure that construction workers have been properly trained in fall prevention methods. They should also have access to adequate safety equipment such as harnesses or guardrails to prevent falls.

5) Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can occur in construction due to impact with falling objects, contact with tools and hazards, or falls from heights. To prevent them from happening, construction workers should wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as hard hats at all times when working on a construction site. This can ensure that their work environment is free of any potential hazards. This includes falling debris which can easily strike a worker leading to injury and even death.

Construction work can be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken. By understanding the common construction injuries and their causes, construction workers and employers alike can make informed decisions to help minimize risks and keep everyone safe on the job site. With proper training and safety protocols in place, these workers can enjoy a safer working environment while still effectively doing their jobs.

5 Ways to prevent common construction site accidents with safety protocols

Construction sites are complex and hazardous environments, and construction injuries can be severe and even fatal. To ensure the safety of construction workers, it is essential to have a comprehensive set of safety tips to prevent serious injuries from occurring. By taking the following steps now, construction company employers can prevent workplace tragedies later down the road.

1) Develop and implement a comprehensive safety plan

This plan should be tailored specifically to the construction site and its unique risks, such as hazardous materials or working with heavy machinery. The safety plan should include measures such as wearing protective gear at all times, using specialized tools for specific tasks, setting up barriers between workers and equipment, and requiring regular checkups of construction equipment. These are all important workplace safety standards.

2) Provide construction workers with adequate training.

This can apply to how to safely operate any machines or the materials that they may come into contact with. It’s important for construction workers to know how to correctly use their tools in order to reduce the risk of injury during operation. Additionally, employers must provide construction workers with the proper safety equipment and ensure that it is maintained and replaced when necessary.

3) Provide regular job site inspections.

These inspections should be conducted by qualified personnel who are trained in construction safety, preferably from an outside organization such as OSHA. The goal of these inspections should be to identify any potential hazards or unsafe conditions before they cause an accident or injury.

4) Workers should have access to medical services in case of emergency or injury.

This includes providing first aid kits on the construction site, having a designated person with basic medical training present at all times, and making sure that workers know where to go for help if they get injured.

5) Workers must be aware of their rights and responsibilities in the workplace.

This includes making sure that construction workers know about any safety laws or regulations that might be relevant to their job, as well as providing them with information on how to report unsafe conditions or accidents. By making sure construction workers are aware of their rights and responsibilities, construction companies can help create a safer work environment for everyone involved.

Closing Thoughts on Construction Worker Safety and Injury Prevention

Construction injuries are a serious and potentially costly problem for construction companies. In order to protect construction workers from these avoidable tragedies, construction companies must take proactive steps to ensure the safety of their employees.

It’s important for construction companies and their workers to take proactive steps toward preventing construction-related injuries. If you have any questions about common workplace injuries or have recently been injured, please contact us today.

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Cole, Fisher, Cole, O’Keefe + Mahoney is Central California’s leading workers’ compensation and social security disability law firm. With over 30 years of successful experience, we are committed to securing maximum benefits for our clients in the Fresno, California area. Schedule a free consultation today.