Last Updated on May 12, 2023 by Admin
If you’re just starting out in the construction industry, health and safety should be top of your mind. That’s because construction sites can be very hazardous places to work.
By informing yourself about common construction site injuries, such as the six listed below, you can avoid being injured.
1. Crush Injuries
Sadly, crush injuries are far too prevalent on construction sites. They are caused by accidents in which a worker is caught between two or more objects, such as becoming trapped against a wall by a vehicle, being crushed by materials collapsing, or getting a body part caught in machinery.
Crush injuries can result in things like bleeding, bruising, fractures, nerve injuries, and compartment syndrome.
2. Electrocution
While electrocution can most often easily be avoided by ensuring you never come into contact with things like live wires and always wear electrical protective equipment, electrocution is still a common construction site injury.
If you are electrocuted, you could experience burns. You could also experience nerve damage or cardiac arrest.
3. Traumatic Brain Injury
There’s a very good reason why people on construction sites are required to wear hard hats at all times. If you are hit by a falling object and are not wearing protective equipment, you could experience an injury like a traumatic brain injury.
A mild traumatic brain injury can affect your brain cells temporarily but more serious traumatic brain injuries can result in issues like torn tissues, bruising, bleeding, and damage to the brain. In turn, serious traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term complications and even death.
4. Neck Injuries
Falls and other accidents at construction sites, such as being struck by falling objects, can lead to neck injuries, which can range from mild injuries like cricks and muscle strains to more serious injuries, like herniated discs and dislocation.
Neck injuries can even cause spinal cord injuries.
5. Fractures
Falls and other accidents at construction sites, such as being hit by objects or being crushed, can lead to bone fractures, which means one or more of your bones becomes broken in at least one place.
A bone could become completely fractured or partially fractured. Fractures can involve bones being fractured in any number of ways, such as lengthwise or crosswise.
6. Repetitive Motion Injuries
It’s not only accidents that can cause injuries at construction sites. The very nature of completing some tasks day in and day out can also lead to injuries. Specifically, repeatedly doing the same tasks again and again can lead to repetitive motion injuries.
Your muscles and soft tissue can become worn and damaged, which can lead to pain and limited mobility.
Repetitive motion injuries can cause temporary or permanent damage to nerves, ligaments, and tendons, as well as muscles and tissue.
Gaining Compensation
If you are injured while working on a construction site due to an individual or your company not taking the necessary precautions to prevent the accident, you may be able to pursue compensation to cover the cost of things like medical bills and lost earnings.
The first step is to contact a reputable lawyer in your local area. For instance, Nappa, Monterosso & Poznansky, LLP are experts at addressing construction site injuries in NYC and the firm can assist you in claiming the compensation you are entitled to after being injured in a construction site accident that isn’t your fault.
Final Thoughts
As long as you always follow health and safety rules and keep your wits about you while working on construction sites, you can avoid being the victim of an accident. So, make sure safety is always top of your mind when working in the construction industry.
