When Construction Sites Have A Shoddy Foundation
Chances are you’ve walked past the construction of a new building and wondered who or what would occupy it. Or maybe you’ve been stuck in traffic on the expressway as road construction takes place once again. But how many times have you really taken notice of the workers or their jobsite environment?
Construction is one of the largest and most needed industries in the world. It provides residences, office space, and education facilities while helping us get from one place to the next. Sometimes the benefit we gain from the labor of those construction workers is marred by the injuries they sustain on the job.
In fact, the international edition of The New York Times reported in June 2008 that “contractors routinely skip much-needed examinations for wear-and-tear” of machinery. This negligence leaves construction workers vulnerable to injury and even death.
Common Construction Site Dangers
· Falls — A fall from any height can be devastating, whether 5 feet or 500 feet. Hundreds of workers die each year after falling from scaffolding, roofs or ladders. If the employees are not given secure and stable equipment, the risk is even greater.
· Machinery Accidents — The number of yearly injuries caused by machinery such as forklifts or cranes reaches tens of thousands, with at least another hundred being fatalities. Workers are paying the price when machinery has not been regularly serviced or replaced.
· Vehicle Accidents — Vehicles strike thousands of construction workers every year. Drivers in construction zones (whether employees or non-construction workers) often fail to reduce their speed or drive more carefully, particularly if proper signs are not posted.
Prevention is the best safety precaution. Using good judgment, providing the correct gear and instructions for working in a construction area, and posting necessary warnings or guidelines can go a long way toward preventing a construction site accident. In the “organized chaos” of construction these things are not always done. Safety procedures may be overlooked or in some instances completely neglected.
Preventing Construction Accidents
Construction is an inherently dangerous line of work. However, there are ways that employees, supervisors, contractors and construction companies can minimize the risks on their jobsites.
· Awareness. This includes knowing the correct way to operate a machine or tool, being well rested and refraining from drug or alcohol use that could impair judgment.
· Reporting any concerns. When something isn’t right, it should be reported immediately. If a smaller problem isn’t corrected right away, it can easily become a much more serious problem.
· Following safety precautions. Tools and machinery should be used as instructed. Protective gear such as hardhats and eyewear must be worn. These steps can minimize dangers at work.
If safety suggestions like the ones above aren’t implemented and an accident does occur, responsibility for the incident will vary based upon the factors involved. Employee inexperience or negligence may contribute. However, a coworker, supervisor or the construction company at large may be at fault. In some cases an architect or even the manufacturer of a tool or equipment could be liable.
If a supervisor, contractor, or a coworker is to blame for your injury, you will need legal assistance to help you with your case. If you live in the Baltimore, Maryland area, the attorneys at The Yost Legal Group can give you a free consultation and start looking into your situation immediately.
You should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible if you or someone you care about has suffered a preventable injury due to a construction accident.