Minnesota construction workers often face a higher risk of certain dangers than other workers do. Among those you may face in the construction field are fall risks.
But why do these incidents happen more often in construction? And more importantly, is there anything that you can do to stop them?
What are the statistics for construction falls?
The National Safety Council discusses fall statistics across jobs. According to the agency’s research, construction workers are the most likely to suffer from fall accidents. In 2016, 384 of the 697 worker deaths occurred in the construction industry. In total, 24,700 injuries happened to construction workers.
Some of this is due to the heights at which construction workers often perform their duties. Falls are more likely to result in injury or death the higher up they occur. But this does not account for the numbers. After all, 134 of the total deaths happened at the same level the worker was working on.
What leads to these falls?
So what is behind these numbers, then? Studies show that most if not all falls are preventable, and often, employers are responsible. Some causes of falls include:
- Old and worn equipment
- A lack of proper safety equipment
- Failure to educate employees through safety classes and information
- A work environment that values speed over safety
Employers frequently cut corners and costs in a way that can put workers in jeopardy. As a worker, you have the right to report a safety hazard. If you suffer an injury, you may be able to hold a negligent employer accountable.
