Common Causes of Construction Accidents in NY

Some occupations are riskier than others. Unfortunately, if you work in construction, you’re in one of the world’s most dangerous professions. It’s always wise to be aware of the common safety hazards on any work site. Here’s a look at some of the most common causes of New York construction accidents. 

Understanding the “Focus Four”

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regularly conducts training on what it calls the Focus Four — the four leading causes of construction accident deaths. They are falls, being caught in or between hazards, being struck by objects, and electrocution. 

Falls

In 2021, falls caused a massive 37% of construction injury deaths — plus countless serious injuries. The higher above ground you are when the fall happens, the more likely you are to suffer a severe injury. 

Of course, there are many potential causes of worksite falls, including the following: 

• Wet or slippery surfaces
• Not having proper fall protection equipment
• Not having guardrails (or having improperly installed guardrails)
• Poorly constructed scaffolding
• Not having the right safety training
• Failing to regularly inspect the site for hazards

There’s no way to guarantee you won’t suffer a fall while on a work site. However, when you stay vigilant and implement the right safety precautions, you can minimize your risk. 

Being Caught Within or Between Hazards

The feeling of being trapped is a scary one. Depending on where you’re trapped, you might be at risk for major injuries or even death. This is a very broad category, and it includes a range of hazardous situations: 

• Being pulled into machinery
• Getting stuck between a work vehicle and a stationary object
• Being trapped within a masonry wall
• Being caught in a trench
• Being buried in an excavation collapse

Many of these situations happen unexpectedly and become dangerous very quickly. They often aren’t completely preventable, but construction site supervisors have an obligation to ensure all workers on a site are aware of these potential hazards and understand how to respond to them quickly and appropriately. 

Being Struck by Objects

There’s always a risk of falling objects on a construction site. Dropping a hammer might not seem like a major problem, but if that hammer is dropped from a great height and hits a worker on the way down, it can cause a serious injury. 

Swinging objects (like those caused by equipment malfunctions) and various kinds of loose materials can be especially dangerous. And of course, being struck by any kind of work vehicle is always a risk. 

It takes more than just being aware of your surroundings to reduce the risk of these kinds of accidents. Safety is a team effort: 

• Vehicle operators should constantly check their surroundings when driving and use spotters when backing up
• Contractors should have a detailed internal traffic control plan for the worksite before beginning construction
• Head protection should be mandatory for anyone entering the worksite
• Everyone should use designated travel routes on the site, watch and listen for signals and alarms, and look out for coworkers

Not all of these accidents are due to negligence, but some are. For instance, if a contractor does not designate routes of travel or have any kind of internal traffic control plan, they might be liable if you’re hit by a work vehicle or otherwise injured. 

Electrocution

The very nature of a construction site creates an electrical hazard. Electricity is necessary to power many kinds of tools and equipment, but electrical outlets and extension cords at worksites are generally not kept within a closed structure. As a result, many electrical connections are left exposed to moisture — and electricity and moisture don’t mix. 

That’s not the only electrocution hazard you may run into on a construction site. Exposed wiring is inevitable at some point in any construction project, and even accidentally brushing by a piece of exposed wiring can cause an electric shock.  

Depending on the voltage and how long you make contact with that wire, you might suffer a brief jolt that causes no lasting damage, a life-threatening electrocution, or anything in between. 

Injured? A New York Construction Accident Lawyer Can Help

When you’re in the construction industry, there’s always a chance of getting in an accident. And if that accident was caused by someone else, Silberstein, & Miklos is here for you. We’re committed to holding negligent parties accountable and fighting for the compensation you deserve. 

If you’ve been injured, please call our New York office or contact us online to set up a free consultation.