Common Accidents on the Job
Trip and falls, machinery, and falling objects are some of the most common types of accidents that we see on construction sites. Other accidents such as, heat exhaustion, are also very common. Onsite Safety tells us that there are four mindsets that cause accidents:
- Rushing– More often than not, there is a constant pressure upon the employees to get the job done as fast as possible. Worrying about meeting a deadline may lead to unnecessary mistakes that can be potentially dangerous or even fatal.
- Frustration– Being frustrated is a mental state that is very common. Frustration can lead to employees arguing which is unsafe when the environment is full of safety hazards.
- Fatigue– Being fatigued reduces the ability to perform by a significant amount. Onsite states that, “A tired driver is said to be as dangerous on the road as a drunk driver, which illustrates the dangers of fatigue”. Another aspect of fatigue is heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is defined by the Mayo Clinic as a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating. Untreated, heat exhaustion may progress into a heat stroke.
- Complacency– Complacency is defined by Merriam-Webster as, “marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies”. This directly correlates to a construction site when an employee chooses to be unaware of the dangers around his or her surroundings.
Prevention
There are many ways to lower the risk of accidents occurring on a construction site. One way is to hold mandatory safety meetings for all employees. The purpose for these meetings is for the employees to leave with a better understanding of the possible dangers and how to prevent them in the work environment. It might also be helpful for the employer to provide proper safety gear. Gear such as helmets, safety glasses, and harnesses for jobs pertaining to heights lower the risk of serious injury.
With the construction industry being one of the largest and most dangerous industries in America, there should be a considerably large amount of attention around the safety of employees. Knowing the four mental states and having the knowledge on how to prevent accidents, is the best possible to way to stay safe. However, if an injury does occur because of the negligence of someone else’s doing, it is highly encouraged for you to speak with a Personal Injury Attorney.
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