The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified four major types of accidents that are responsible for more workplace injuries than any other. These “Fatal Four” accidents are especially common in the construction industry, where there are more accidents than in any other industry. But what are these Fatal Four, and what can you do to avoid them?
What Are the Fatal Four?
The Fatal Four are the four most common types of fatal accidents seen across all industries, but especially in construction. Combined, they account for more than half of all workplace fatalities. They are, in order of severity:
- Falling injuries: Injuries resulting from falling, either as a result of tripping and falling, or due to falling from an elevated area, such as a scaffold or ladder.
- Struck-by injuries: Injuries resulting from being hit by other objects, including motor vehicles or falling objects.
- Caught-in/between injuries: Injuries resulting from getting stuck under falling rubble, tipped-over machinery, or getting caught inside the mechanisms of a machine.
- Electrocutions: Injuries resulting from contact with a powered electrical circuit, such as an active high-voltage line or the internal systems of a power tool.
Why Are These Accidents So Common?
These types of accidents are extremely common because of how easy it is for people to be injured by them. Construction workers, in particular, often need to work from high places, putting them at a high risk of a falling injury, and they are prone to being injured by vehicles on construction sites such as forklifts, trucks, cranes, and cement mixers. In addition, certain construction operations like trenching and demolition can put workers at a high risk of cave-ins, and without proper care, the electrical tools they use as part of their work can easily electrocute them.
How Can These Accidents Be Prevented?
Part of what makes the Fatal Four so tragic is that they can often be prevented through proper safety procedures. Fall protection can help prevent major falling injuries, and protective gear can help avoid the worst consequences of electrocutions or struck-by injuries. Unfortunately, many contractors will not provide the kinds of protection that construction workers need to avoid harm, putting them at an unnecessary risk of serious injury and death.
What Should You Do?
If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of a construction accident or other workplace injury, contact a lawyer with experience handling personal injury claims. They can help you to explore your options and get you justice for the harm you have suffered. The sooner you get in contact, the sooner they can get to work on your case.
The Suffolk County personal injury law firm of McGuire, Peláez and Bennett is conveniently located in Central Islip near the Central Islip Court facility on Long Island. We will work diligently in every way to help you make the best of difficult times. We will help you to process your insurance and no-fault claims without charge to ensure that your medical expenses and property damages are compensated. We will also work with your doctors to monitor your recovery progress to ensure that you are reimbursed for your pain, suffering and economic loss. Please give us a call at (631) 348-1702, or visit our contact page to learn more.
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