If you can build an apartment block in the Caribbean, you can build one in North America. Being a construction worker is one of those jobs that you can do anywhere. While US construction site safety standards are higher than many other countries, that does not mean accidents don’t happen, however. Rules and regulations only work when everyone follows them. Even if everyone does, there will still be a risk when working on a building site.
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), one in five workplace deaths occurs in construction. More than half of the almost 5,000 people killed on building sites during 2018 died due to one of four factors. These are known as the Fatal Four, and they include:
- Falls, which can occur from any height
- Struck-by injuries, such as those involving dropped objects
- Electrocution, which can happen easily with electrical tools
- Caught in-between accidents, such as being pressed between a truck and a wall
In the US, construction sites must operate according to standards set down by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). There must be specific measures in place to reduce the risk of accidents. For example, all construction workers must wear fall protection equipment if working six feet or more above the ground. When an accident does occur, it is usually due to someone failing to adhere to the guidelines.
If your employer is not providing the correct safety equipment on your construction site or is ignoring safety guidelines, you can report it. If you have an accident while at work in Coral Gables, you can claim against its workers’ compensation insurance, regardless of whose fault it was. You may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim if your employer was at fault.
