Construction Workers Fall Victim to Work Injuries

An average of 16 construction workers dies daily according to the US Department of Labor. Furthermore, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) report the following four hazards as representing the most severe and potentially fatal work injuries:

1. Trench cave-ins
2. Caught in/between, falls from elevations, electric shock and struck by
3. Crane contact with power lines
4. And being struck by vehicles in a roadway

Trench cave-in fatalities are double that of construction in general. Collapse of sides can bury those in a trench. If employees are not using protective systems or equipment while working in trenches or excavations at sites, they can be a victim of suffocation, inhalation of toxic materials, fire, drowning, or being crushed by a cave-in.

Per OSHA, victims of falls are a leading cause of construction fatalities. In 2006, there was a total of 827 falls where two in five victims fell from roofs or ladders. Also in 2006, they reported 5,840 fatal work injuries.

Even a Bricklayer is Exposed to Daily Risks of Injury

Each day, a bricklayer handles some 800-1100 bricks or an average of 165-220 blocks. Their most demanding task is one-handed repetitive lifting of bricks with bended lower back for more than four hours per work day.

Bricklayers are exposed to dust (which may contain quartz) when sawing bricks/blocks or when mixing cement/glue. Also mortar contains cement, which is alkaline and prolonged skin contact can result in skin problems.

Bricklayers are exposed to noise caused by the equipment that can lead to hearing loss. Through their work with grinders, drills, saws and chisel hammers, they are also exposed to hand/arm vibrations. Long-term work exposure can lead to “white finger syndrome” or damage to the wrists or other parts of the body.

If you suspect that you have been the victim of negligence that resulted in a work injury, please contact Seeger Weiss. Our construction accident attorneys are experts at assessing your case and helping you determine whether you are entitled to compensation. Don’t hesitate: contact us today by filling out this form.

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