How Can I Avoid Common Construction Accidents

The construction industry is one that requires both hard physical and mental work. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for serious mistakes and accidents to occur on construction sites. Whether an injury takes place because of malfunctioning equipment or negligent supervision, there are many preventative steps that can be taken before an injury occurs to protect those in the workforce.

Acquiring appropriate licensing

In construction work, the use of heavy equipment and tools is part of the daily work that is required. Driving large trailers, operating cranes, or working on high scaffolding, construction provides many opportunities to work with dangerous machinery. Upon being hired in the construction industry, there are several prerequisites to operating these powerful and dangerous tools. Without the appropriate licensing and education, there can be serious consequences. Although the industry can be a financially reliable source of income, knowing the risks and, more importantly, having the proper mechanical education and licensing is essential for your safety and the safety of others on the job.

Why is mechanical licensing important?

If no one was required to receive mechanical licensing, anyone would be able to operate heavy machinery. Tools like cranes, excavators, and bulldozers all require extensive knowledge on how to safely use them. Even the most tenured construction workers who spend years honing their craft working with these massive pieces of mechanical gear see accidents happen. If anyone was able to do it, serious repercussions would happen. Unfortunately, it is extremely common for these tools to flip, rollover, burn up and in some cases crush the operator. Education prior to operating these machines is not only essential, but most major companies require certain licensing to even be hired. Some of these licenses include:

CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)

This certification is required to drive any kind of commercial motor vehicle. Company trucks, trailers carrying heavy machinery, a truck with a tank, a truck carrying hazardous materials, or even a passenger vehicle all require a CDL certification. You cannot operate any kind of company vehicle or large truck with a trailer hitch without one. You must pass both the skills and knowledge testing in order to receive your certification. Those who have a CDL are held to a higher standard when operating any kind of motor vehicle.

NCCCO (National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators)

Operating a crane is not something everyone can do. This certification takes up to 4-8 weeks and goes through the process of competency testing and on-the-job training. Depending on the kind of crane, the training can last up to several months. It is required that you must pass both a written exam and skill test in order to receive the certification.

HEO (Heavy Equipment Operator)

Obtaining your heavy equipment operator license is different in every state, but for most, a level of education is required. You must have your GED (General Educational Development Degree) and a certification from a trade school. These programs train individuals on a wide variety of different mechanical labor such as construction site preparation, landscaping, utility, and underground excavation. Receiving this certification makes you eligible for different job opportunities such as trenching, road construction, airport construction, and commercial and residential construction.

Without the proper licensing, serious or fatal accidents can occur. If your employers make a request for you to utilize or operate heavy machinery without having the proper certifications, there is probable cause for legal action. Frequently in construction, employers have their staff operate machinery when they have no place operating. Not only is this highly illegal, but it is not smart of the employer as it can result in serious injuries.

If the employee in any way is harmed while using machinery that they do not have the certification and education to operate, the employee is eligible to sue for damages. Not only that, but the employer also risks losing their license to rent or own heavy machinery at all. If your employer requests that you man a piece of machinery you are not eligible to use, it is imperative for you to speak up and say something.

Reporting unsafe work environments 

The first step to reducing any common work-related injury is ensuring the work environment is safe. This could mean making sure that the appropriate protective gear such as a hard helmet, goggles, steel-toed boots, and earplugs are available for use. If you are working on scaffolding, it is essential that you have fall gear like harnesses and nets. These protective elements can literally mean life or death. Many companies will provide the protective gear to their employees, but in the case they do not, obtaining them for yourself will be highly necessary.

A team is nothing without a team leader. Many construction crews will have a head supervisor. This individuals’ responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Monitoring crew performance

• Delivering quality and adhering to strict guidelines

• Ensuring equipment is functioning properly

• Staying up to date on safety codes

A supervisor is there to make sure everything is running as it should. If a supervisor is not properly showing employees how to use dangerous hand tools, serious or fatal injuries can happen. Tools like a welding machine can be treacherous if the operator is not first shown how to use them safely. Without first educating construction workers on how to use even the simple machinery, accidents can easily occur. Certain weather conditions are not conducive to construction work and thus can cause slipping and falling from tall heights. Not regularly checking the heat gauges on heavy machines can result in deadly fire explosions and gas leaks. Without proper supervision, employees can easily get injured on the job. This is why reporting supervisor misconduct and negligence is very necessary.

In any job environment, there is risk for injury. In the construction industry, the risks are generally more severe. What might seem like an easy piece of equipment to run could mean the difference in protecting the safety of yourself and others. Addressing hazardous work conditions like heavy rain or not having the proper protective gear can mean life or death in the construction industry. That is why taking the extra time to ensure the safety of employees should be an absolute priority.

If you have been a victim of a workplace injury at the fault of your employer, seek out legal counsel. Whether you have been injured on the job because of negligible management or have been harmed from a workplace accident, contact one of our certified workers’ compensation law specialists 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.