The OSHA Fatal Four: What You Need to Know
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) works on a fiscal year that runs from October 1 until September 30. In its 2015 and 2016 fiscal year, 4,836 workers were killed on the job, and 21.4 percent of those deaths were in the construction industry. Falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and being caught between two objects accounted for 62.4 percent of all deaths in the construction industry in the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year.
1) Falls
In 2017, a total of 364 people died from falls. These falls involved falling from ladders, scaffolds, roofs, floor holes, slip-and-falls and trip-and-falls. Falling accidents consisted of 38.8 percent of fatal accidents.
2) Struck by an Object
Workers being struck by an object accounted for 90 deaths and 9.6 percent of all construction industry fatalities. Most often, being struck by an object involves a worker being hit from above by falling materials, tools or equipment. Even a motor vehicle fatality on a construction site might be classified as being struck by an object.
3) Electrocution
When construction workers are working with live wires or near them, the risk of severe shock and electrocution increases. Most electrocution deaths involve a lack of fundamental knowledge of electricity. A total of 81 construction workers died from electrical accidents during the 2015 to 2016 fiscal year. Electrocution accounted for 8.6 percent of all accidental deaths in the construction industry.
4) Caught and Crushed Between Objects
To OSHA, being “caught in between” accidents involve workers who died after being pinned by equipment, objects, falling structures or materials. “Caught in between” accidents accounted for 67 deaths for the fiscal year studied. Those made up 7.2 percent of all construction accident deaths.
Construction work is dangerous work. You can contact a compassionate, efficient and effective Houston personal injury attorney at Sigmon Law, PLLC for a free consultation and case evaluation on any construction-related injury or fatality. Other forms of compensation for serious injury or a death might be available.