Worksite injuries on construction jobs are all too common. Take a look at these surprising stats about the construction industry and keep them in mind the next time you head out to the jobsite.
1. This year, 1 in 10 construction workers will be injured. That means on your next job with at least 10 people, one of you is likely going to be injured. We don’t want this to be you—so know your machinery and take the proper safety precautions before getting started.
2. Long careers are a good thing, and common in the construction industry. On-site deaths can be considered common, too, as a construction worker has a 1 in 200 chance of dying over the course of a 45-year career.
3. You’re at an equal risk early in your career, too. The construction industry is number two in the U.S. for fatal injuries in workers younger than 18.
4. Even worse, 60% of construction industry accidents happen during the first year of employment.
5. Beware the Fatal Four: these come down from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, and include workplace falls, electrocutions, being hit by an object, and being caught in between two objects. Avoiding the OSHA Fatal Four would prevent 518 workers’ deaths in America every year.
6. And falls are the number one cause of worker death, accounting for nearly 40% of all fatal construction injuries.
7. It should be no coincidence that fall protection is the most-violated OSHA standard. Ignoring OSHA regulations is not only dangerous but costly too. OSHA fines can cost thousands of dollars per violation. Taking the extra time to put on proper fall protection gear can save your job and your life.
8. We recommend watching your step, and the road ahead. One-third of all carcrashes in developed countries involve someone at work.
9. Thankfully, road construction deaths have fallen by 36% since 2005, which means we’re getting better at alerting drivers to workers with the help of signage and traffic controllers. These preventative measures are effective and it’s great to see them being utilized.
10. Construction workers makes up 15% of all lead poisoning reported in the U.S., so be on the lookout for possible chemical issues in the workplace, too. When dealing with possible lead exposure, use protective gear, including a respirator.
11. Another metal to keep an eye on: iron. Ironwork leads all jobs with the highest injury rates in the construction industry.
12. Of all workplaces in the U.S., the construction industry accounted for almost one-fifth (19.5%) of deaths from 2002-2012.
At Papé Machinery Construction & Forestry, we care about your safety. Stop by any of our locations, or give us a call today, and we’ll talk you through any equipment safety questions you may have.
Sources: https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/…, http://ehstoday.com/constructi…, http://blog.capterra.com/13-sh…, http://www.ishn.com/articles/1….
