How To Minimize Risks In Construction Sites

The construction site is obviously one of the most accident-prone places. The presence of machines, equipment and materials, and the activity of men make it an inherently risky place. In some cases, accidents also occur when harmful chemicals or substances come in contact with equipment that can lead to fires or explosions.
According to Department and Labor statistics, construction accidents occur more frequently than many believed. Some of the most common injuries include sprains, bruises, cuts strains, contusions, lacerations, heat burns, amputations, carpal tunnel syndrome, fractures, and tendonitis.
While most of these injuries are not fatal, they can lead to long-term unemployment or a disability condition such as spinal cord injury, severe burn, and in worst cases, death. With these, the victims are entitled to file their legal actions with the help of their construction liability attorneys.
The real estate boom, which gave rise to the construction of residential homes, commercial buildings, and roads, has also contributed to the incidental increase in the number of accidents and resulting injuries in the past years.
Particularly in Los Angeles and other areas in California, the following construction accidents commonly occur:

Falls from ladders, roofs and scaffolding
Injuries caused by falling debris or materials
Scaffolding collapse accidents
Falling material or debris
Accidents caused by contact with electrical wires
Open trenches
Nail gun accidents and puncture injuries
Forklift and crane accidents
Delivery truck accidents
Injuries to pedestrians

Some accidents may be preventable. In construction sites, the wearing of hard hats and other protective clothing are required as part of safety measures. And despite strict safety laws, thousands are still injured or get killed due to construction site accidents.
Nevertheless, to minimize the risk of accident in the construction site, here are important things to consider:
1. Develop a formal, written accident prevention program – An accident prevention program must suit the needs of your particular workplace or operation and to the types of hazards involved. This is an outline of your safety and health plan or an injury prevention program.
2. Make sure your accident prevention program has the following elements:

A description of your total safety and health program
How to report unsafe conditions, hazards and practices
The use and care of required personal protective equipment (PPE)
How to exit the workplace during emergencies
Identification of hazardous gases, chemicals, or materials used and instruction about its safe use
Emergency action to take after accidental exposure to substances or chemicals

3. Develop and supervise the implementation of your safety and health training programs to make it effective in practice
4. Enforce the training program to improve the employees’ skill, awareness, and competency in the occupational safety and health.
5. Train workers and employees before being assigned to their job, which may also include on-the-job safety instructions on the use of the following:

Powered materials-handling equipment such as forklifts, backhoes, etc.
machine tool operations
How to handle toxic materials
The use and operation of utility systems

However, in most cases, accidents are caused by violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA). And under California law, a violation of safety law can be used as evidence of negligence in construction site accident cases.
If you were injured in a construction site accident in Los Angeles, for instance, and you need to claim for your injuries, it is very vital for you to seek the aid of an attorney to support your in filing a lawsuit.
For better chances of winning your construction liability claim, consult our competent personal injury attorneys. Just complete our free case evaluation form found on our website and we will take care of your legal worries.
Before becoming an online writer, Manuel worked as a journalist, a newspaper columnist, a scriptwriter, a fiction writer, a magazine editor, and a tutor. He acquired his legal background as a Senate legislative officer and later on, as a researcher and paralegal staff in various law offices. Someday he hoped to go back and devote more time to writing fiction, which is his first passion.

How To Minimize Risks In Construction Sites

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