The numbers on daily construction-related deaths in the U.S. are pretty eye-opening. Construction is consistently ranked as one of the most dangerous industries, largely due to four major types of accidents. This makes it crucial to focus on improving safety and reducing hazards on the job site.
According to OSHA, “construction is a high-hazard industry that involves a range of activities such as building, altering, and repairing structures. This includes residential work, bridge construction, road paving, excavation, demolition, and large-scale painting projects. Workers in this field face serious risks like falls from heights, unguarded machinery, getting hit by heavy equipment, electrocution, exposure to silica dust, and asbestos.”
OSHA also notes that “about 6.5 million people are employed at around 252,000 construction sites nationwide each day. The fatal injury rate in construction is higher than the national average across all industries.”
Key hazards in construction include:
Falls from heights
Trench and scaffold collapses
Electric shocks and arc flashes/blasts
Not using proper personal protective equipment (PPE)
Repetitive motion injuries
For more detailed information, you can check out OSHA’s resources or visit the Department of Labor.
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