Despite the Department of Work and Pensions stating that fatalities have been cut since the 1970's by two thirds; 250-300 construction site workers are still killed every year and 35 million working days are lost each year to occupational health issues. Showing the number of deaths and injury in the workplace remains at an alarming high number. The main cause of accidents on construction sites are: ? Scaffolding Accidents ? Lifting equipment failure ? Welding accidents ? Trench Collapses ? Falls from roofs ? Crane Accidents ? Forklift truck accidents ? Electric Shock Injury ? Trench collapses ? Accident caused by fire or explosion ? Road Traffic Accident ? Compressed Gases Accidents ? Falls from ladders ? Unsafe safety harnesses ? Electrocutions ? Accidents from faulty machinery ? Power tool accidents ? Holes in flooring You are six times more likely to be killed as a construction employee than an employee of any other occupation. Working at a construction site is one of the most dangerous occupations in the UK. If you are injured on a construction site, you should take action as soon as possible, including: ? Reporting the accident immediately ? Seeking immediate medical treatment on site or go to a hospital or GP as soon as possible ? Obtaining names telephone numbers and addresses of any witnesses ? If possible make sure the accident scene is photographed ? Identify the main/principle contractor/s or subcontractors on the job site responsible your injury ? Do not make written statements or discuss you accident with anyone without first speaking to a qualified personal injury specialist. There have been 2,800 fatalities in the last 25 years due to building and construction accidents.
Employers have to, by law, protect their employees. Most building/construction workers do not realise that it is within their rights to ask supervisors for regular breaks when using heavy duty equipment. If you feel that equipment needs replacing or feel that health and safety hasn't been properly addressed you should report it to your employer who can take the necessary steps to make the workplace more safe. If employers fail to enforce health and safety, they can be left liable for compensation claims. The workplace should be kept in a safe and tidy condition. Suitable workstations and chairs should be provided to employees and floors and corridors should be clean and free from hazards as well as doors and gates, nothing should become an unnecessary obstruction in the workplace that could become a danger to the employees that work there.
All employers are required by law to be provided with any safety wear they require to complete their jobs, such as goggles, hard hats, ear guards, dust masks, safety gloves, safety boots or high-visibility jackets. Also by law, employees are to be highly trained in whatever task they have to undergo, such as operating a fork lift truck, manually handling heavy objects or operating any form of machinery. If you are currently working in a construction job you should make sure that your employer has explained health and safety to you and that health and safety is being abided by in your place of work to prevent accidents from happening.
Helen Cox is the web master of Accident Consult, experts in Construction Accident Claims This article is free to republish provided this resource box remains intact.
