Protecting Individuals.
Prioritizing Recovery.

Understanding the “Fatal Four” in Construction Accidents

On Behalf of | Nov 19, 2018 | workplace injuries

Construction can be an inherently dangerous industry to work in, and employers that put workers in potentially hazardous situations should take every precaution to protect them from being injured or killed while doing their jobs. However, throughout the nation and right here in California, construction workers suffer harm from four types of accidents: falls, electrocutions, getting caught between walls and machines, and being struck by objects. These four types of incidents are known as the Fatal Four in the construction industry and account for more than half of all construction site deaths each year.

Falls are a danger in many lines of work, but, for construction workers, they can be fatal for several reasons. One reason is that a construction site fall may be from a very high distance if the worker is not properly secured to their scaffolding or a stable structure. Ensuring that workers have appropriate safety equipment is an important step in preventing worksite falls.

Electrocutions can cause workers to suffer fatal injuries when their bodies come into contact with power sources. By limiting access to worksites where live wires may be present and providing workers with safety tools, these electrocutions may be reduced on construction worksites.

Crushing incidents and striking incidents can inflict great damage on their victims. A worker who is caught between machines or a wall and a machine may suffer broken bones, organ damage, and death. Similarly, a victim of a striking incident may suffer similar injuries, including death when a tool or object becomes unsecured and hits them.

The Fatal Four are responsible for too many construction site deaths in the United States. Better safety protections for workers are imperative to limit workers’ exposure to these and other hazards. Attorneys are available to those who have survived their workplace injuries and are prepared to seek compensation for their losses.

Archives

RSS Feed