Working in construction means good pay, long hours, and a potentially dangerous work environment. Depending on what caused an accident that injures one or more workers, they may be due fair compensation. But many construction industry employers try to save money by denying injury claims or offering very small settlements. Workers should be aware of their rights for injury compensation and the requirements for a safe workplace that OSHA has on the books. A safe workplace is the best way to avoid accidents and injuries.
Workers in The Construction Industry
The construction industry is one of the largest employers in America and provides jobs for millions of workers at different levels. Some of these workers include concrete workers, framers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, laborers, masons, wallboard installers, and sheet metal workers. The outdoor construction projects such as highways, bridges, mines, dams, fencing, and other public works projects account for thousands more construction workers. When any of these people are injured in a construction accident, they deserve to be taken care of by their employer. But this does not always happen.
Employers may claim the accident was the injured party's fault or give other excuses for not compensating the injured party other than paying their medical bills. They may even refuse to pay medical bills. This is wrong. But many construction workers do not know their rights. Even though it is true that construction workers do accept some risk in their jobs, when they are seriously injured or even killed in an accident through no fault of their own, employers should compensate them or their families fairly.
Safe Work Places and Practices Help Prevent Injuries
The best way for employers to avoid large work injury lawsuits and expenses is to run safe construction sites. OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, has rules for construction companies to follow for worker safety. They are trying to cut down the number of construction workers injured or killed on the job. Now, statistics show that one out of five workplace deaths happen to construction workers. Countless construction workers have been injured on construction sites due to unsafe work conditions, lack of training, or lack of safety precautions. Every construction company should use these practices to prevent injuries.
1. Train all new employees or employees not previously trained in workplace safety standards and job hazards they may face. A safety handbook should be available to each employee with names and phone numbers for trained first aid responders. Employees should be well-trained on any equipment they will be required to use.
2. Initial training is not enough. There should be regular crew safety meetings on a daily, weekly, or as-needed basis. New safety information should be provided as it comes available or when new situations arise. For instance, a safety meeting should be held before each new phase of a construction project.
3. The workers should be furnished and required to use protective gear and clothing appropriate for the job they are doing. This clothing and gear can include hard hats, goggles, high-visibility clothing, gloves, steel-tipped shoes, as well as protective hats, shirts, and more.
4. The workplace or site should be kept free of debris and rubbish that can become hazards for tripping, slipping, or falling. This is especially important for walkways.
5. Equipment and tools should be well-maintained and in safe working order. Broken parts and malfunctioning gear can cause serious injuries. Equipment should only be used as intended.
6. Safety precautions should be followed to prevent dangerous falls. Fall prevention systems should be installed and maintained. Reduce night work.
7. Each construction site should be regularly inspected for safety hazards. Once the risk assessment is completed, safety measures should be put in place.
8. Safe vehicle operation is essential. All employees should be trained in defensive driving, backing up, and parking before being allowed to operate construction vehicles.
9. All construction companies and employers should strictly follow OSHA guidelines. Any dangerous working conditions or violations of OSHA regulations should be reported immediately to avoid injuries.
When Injuries Occur
It is important for each construction worker to know what procedure to follow when an injury occurs and to know their rights. First, seek medical help right away. This might involve contacting the job site first aid responder, calling 911, or whatever it takes to get help. Medical attention is necessary because some injuries, such as concussions, may not have symptoms until later. Other injuries might not appear to be as serious as they are and should be checked out by medical personnel immediately.
Workman's compensation covers most workplace injuries, but this coverage requires the injured party to notify their employer soon after the injury. Reporting an injury to the employer immediately after it occurs is the best practice. Once notified, the employer can start the process for workman's compensation or other needed paperwork and treatment. The injured party might need to leave the workplace right away for treatment or miss several days' work while recovering, and this must be approved by the employer.
Be sure to document the evidence of the injury. This is especially important if the accident was caused by dangerous conditions or noncompliance with OSHA guidelines. If a person is able, they should take photographs and get documentation at the time of the injury. If not, they should return to the place they were injured to photograph the scene and any equipment that may have caused the injury.
Photograph the injuries and the clothing worn at the time. It is important to bag the clothing as it is after an accident to use as evidence. Get names and addresses of all the witnesses to the accident. Note any security cameras in the area that may have recorded the accident. Note the time and date of the accident for future reference.
When getting medical help, make sure to keep copies of all medical records. Then, keep a journal of your experience from the time of the injury, noting the injury's healing progress and daily symptoms. Keep track of any way the injury is affecting daily life, physical abilities, or pain levels.
Finally, if there is any indication that the employer does not plan to take responsibility or compensate the injured person fairly, contact a law firm with experience in representing people who have been injured in a construction accident. The law firm experts can go over the accident and injuries with the injured worker to see if there is a case for a lawsuit. This depends on if the accident was caused by the employer's careless or reckless actions such as not following OSHA Guidelines.
