If you or someone you love works in the construction industry in Pennsylvania, you are well aware of the fact that construction is a dangerous line of work. People who are tasked with building and repairing our homes, office structures, roads and more put themselves in harm’s way on a daily basis. While there are laws and guidelines that provide important safety reminders and rules, these are sadly not enough to prevent all construction worker accidents or deaths.
Just what are the most common causes of accidents on construction job sites in the United States? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies what it calls “the fatal four”. These four factors are associated with more construction worker fatalities than any other factor. Topping the list of the fatal four is falls. In 2014, falls were involved in nearly 40 percent of all deaths on construction job sites with nearly 360 people losing their lives in these accidents. Interestingly, in 2015, issues involving ladders, scaffolding and fall protection were three of the top seven reasons for OHSA violations confirming the danger that falls present to construction workers.
Being trapped by or in between something, being hit by an object or being electrocuted were the remaining three of the fatal four causes of construction worker deaths. In 2014, one out of every five private industry worker fatalities occurred in the construction industry.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to give construction workers and their families an overview of some of the most common dangers and risks they face while on the job.