Working on construction sites is undoubtedly among the most hazardous jobs in Ohio. Roofers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and equipment operators are at risk of severe injuries caused by construction site accidents daily.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) calls the most common accidents that occur in construction “The Fatal Four” due to the number of deaths that result.
Along with being struck by an object, electrocution, and being caught in machinery, falls are common—and deadly—accidents that occur on construction sites. We look at these risks.
Causes of Construction Site Falls
On construction sites all over Ohio, workers are in danger of tripping and falling on the ground or falling off an upper-level area. The resulting injuries are often severe enough to require extensive medical treatment and time away from work to recover.
OSHA lists the following as significant fall hazards on construction sites:
- Unprotected edges. All roof edges, wall openings, and floor holes should have protective barriers around them, or workers should be tied to secure holds. When these edges aren't protected, workers can easily fall long distances and suffer serious injuries.
- Faulty scaffolding. Guardrails or personal fall arrest systems are required for anyone working on platforms 10 feet or higher from the ground. When the guardrails or planking give way on defective scaffolding, workers can fall.
- Ladders. The safe positioning of portable ladders is essential to protect construction workers. Too often, the wrong ladder is used for a task, putting workers at risk.
Falls on construction sites can be caused by worker carelessness or by employer negligence, but as far as the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is concerned, it doesn’t matter who's at fault. Regardless of the cause of the fall, an employee may have workers’ comp benefits if he or she is injured while completing job-related duties.
What to Do if You're Injured on a Construction Site
After getting the medical help you need, report the accident immediately to your employer and file a First Report of Injury (FROI-1) form. If you get any resistance from your employer or aren't happy with the way the BWC is treating you, call me. As an experienced Ohio workers’ compensation attorney, I handle dozens of construction site injury cases. I'll give your case the time and attention it deserves.
Fill out the form on this page to schedule your free case evaluation and request a free copy of my information-packed e-book to learn how to handle filing a claim.
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