Four Most Common Construction & Excavation Accidents

There are many things that can go wrong and cause sever accidents and even death during construction and excavation. These accidents usually occur with carelessness and when workers do not take the proper safety precautions. These are the four main causes for accidents and deaths on a job site.

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1. Falls

Falls are the leading cause of fatalities in construction. They account for approximately 1/3 of all deaths in the construction industry. These usually occur from not having proper safety nets for holes, unguarded protruding rebar where impalement happens, not stabilizing portable ladders, poor scaffold construction.

2. Struck By

Another leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry are struck-by accidents. This happens most when heavy equipment is involved, such as cranes or trucks. In fact, 75% of struck-by accidents are caused by heavy equipment use. Struck-by accidents can also be caused by power tools that are being used where someone is struck by flying particles or nails, falling or flying objects, and forklifts.

3. Trenching

This is probably one of the most dangerous jobs out there for excavation workers. Trenching and excavation work accounts for 112% more fatalities than that of just general construction work. Trenching involves working in deep dig outs, deaths usually happen when soil is piled to closely to the edge and it collapses onto workers causing asphyxiation or drowning.

4. Electrical

This may be one of the most common accidents, coming in contact with power lines – resulting in electrocution. Electrical wires are not the only hazard when it comes to electrical accidents. Tools or equipment that has exposed wires, or poor insulation are another cause of electrical accidents. Misuse of electrical equipment is yet another cause as well.

Every worker is entitled to a safe and hazard free work environment, and when a business is ran correctly that is usually the case. Unfortunately, construction and excavation are dangerous jobs by nature as is and any amount of safety regulations or precautions cannot always prevent accidents from happening. So be careful out there and make sure to practice safety regulations as well as possible to avoid these and many other accidents from happening.