At a construction site or any kind of industrial workplace, it is of the utmost importance that safety standards be recognized and adhered to. When an employer or the employees at a construction site do not take safety standards seriously, there can be major injuries, some of which can be fatal. Should such a tragedy occur, the Provo-based lawyers at Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help. They have years of experience dealing with injury lawsuits and legal claims involving construction accidents.
Construction workers need to make sure that proper safety standards are in place and that they watch out for fellow employees and contractors. Sometimes just a little bit of common sense worker safety is all that’s needed. Let’s consider this matter in greater detail.
Types of Safety Hazards
The primary safety hazards at construction sites tend to involve falls, being caught between objects, falling objects, and electrocutions. Additional hazards include burn injuries, malfunctioning heavy machinery or equipment, exposure to toxic or harmful substances, and inhaling dangerous fumes.
It’s important for supervisors and workers to ensure that their work site is as safe as possible, and that they are wearing proper gear to protect from injury. This includes hard hats, reflective clothing and vests, goggles, gloves, masks, and so forth.
Injuries and Dangers When Safety Standards Are Ignored
If safety standards are ignored or totally neglected, the chance of serious injury is quite high. The potential for head injuries, brain injuries, loss of limbs, neck and spine injuries, and serious burns or lacerations increase. With regard to dangerous substances and chemicals, there is an increased risk of health problems later in life if proper safety standards are not adhered to.
There’s also a major risk of fatalities to consider for major construction accidents. According to some numbers, there are roughly 9.8 deaths for every 100,000 workers in the United States each year. This number is higher than most European countries, in some cases more than double their average rate.
The Importance of OSHA Standards
Passed in 1970, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) helps prevent worker injuries and fatalities by setting guidelines for safety when people are at work. These on-the-job protections require proper safety equipment be made available to workers, and that any workplace or work site meets some general health and safety standards. Any OSHA violations at a construction site need to be identified and taken seriously.
Holding Employers Accountable
If there is an accident at a construction site that was the result of poor adherence to safety standards or a total lack of safety standards, it’s of the utmost importance that speak with experienced attorneys about your case. We will help hold the negligent party liable for the injuries they caused, and help you recover damage for any hardships that have been endured.
Contact Our Team of Attorneys Today
To learn more about your legal rights following a serious accident or injury, be sure to contact our team of experienced injury attorneys today. The lawyers of Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton are here to help you ensure your workplace or work site is safe.