Unfortunately, construction site deaths are still a threat. Every construction worker who steps onto a job site, no matter how careful or skilled, is putting his life at risk.
But why is it so? And what can we do to eliminate or reduce the root causes of these deaths?
No job site is completely safe
First, we need to understand that there is no such thing as a completely safe workplace. Roughly 20 percent of workplace deaths in the United States occur in the construction industry—making it the second most dangerous industry overall. No matter how much protective equipment you provide, no matter how many signs you post, and no matter how good you are at employee screening during new hires, circumstances will always result in injury or death. There is a chance of At workplaces, people are often using complex machinery and equipment, climbing to significant heights, and propelling themselves physically – so it’s only natural that injuries and deaths will occur, at least occasionally. Are.
primary cause of death
But what can we do to reduce the death rate? What are the most common ways to kill job site workers?
Some of the most common causes of death on construction sites include:
Falls. The most common cause of death in the workplace is a fall from a great height. Sometimes a person dies after falling 10 to 15 feet; Even one fall of a story can be enough to end someone’s life. It’s good that many workplace workers are comfortable on stairs and are okay with going upstairs, but this excess of comfort sometimes leads to risky behavior that increases the risk of falls. . stricken with danger. Unfortunately, you are also not safe on the ground. Another leading cause of workplace deaths is people being struck by hazards, such as flying, falling, swinging, or rolling objects. If someone drops a tool, a piece of construction material, or even something innocuous on top of you, it could hit your head if you’re not prepared. Fortunately, helmets can prevent most of these incidents, but they don’t always provide complete protection – and not all workplace workers wear them consistently. “Caught” or “caught in the middle” accidents. It is also common for people to become trapped in equipment or pieces of machinery, especially when those equipment are being used irresponsibly. If you become trapped in a moving machine, or if you become trapped between a machine and a building, you may not have much hope of survival. Electric Shock. Electrical work is one of the most dangerous jobs you can do on the job site, as even one mistake can leave you electrocuted. Employees must follow strict safety precautions, including turning off the power while they work, but if these safety precautions are ignored or not fully followed, it can have disastrous consequences. The “True” Causes of Job-Site Fatalities
To make job-sites safer, we must take a closer look at the real, deeper causes of these job-site fatalities. In most cases, these are the culprits:
Poor or non-existent security culture. If you want your employees to follow the rules you create for health and safety, you must have a strong, clear, safety-focused culture. Everyone in the workplace needs to make safety their top priority – and they need to take it seriously. If you haven’t prioritized safety among your core values, or if you’re inconsistent in implementing this culture, it will increase your risk of injury. Lack of training or education. Mortality is much more common for those who did not receive proper training or education for their responsibilities. If you don’t know how to use a piece of equipment safely, you are more likely to use it irresponsibly. Lack of resources. Most job-site fatalities occur with employers who have 10 or fewer employees. There are several possible explanations for this; Most likely, these companies do not have the same resources as their larger counterparts. Accordingly, they may not have access to the equipment, training, or other assets necessary to create a fully secure environment. use of drugs and alcohol. Drug and alcohol use is also on the rise in the workplace context. Job-site employees who drink alcohol or use drugs on the job are going to have reduced safety for themselves and others, as their judgment may be impaired and they may suffer from poor coordination. It is also unfortunately common for workers working on the site to die on site due to overdose. Improper use of safety equipment. It is important to use your safety equipment responsibly. For example, your helmet will not protect you if it does not fit properly, or if you have not secured it properly. To address this potential safety risk, you need to ensure that all of your employees are trained and educated in the proper use of safety equipment. Alleged shortcut. Accidents at the workplace also happen when the employees working at the workplace try to take shortcuts. Jumping from one stair to another, for example, may result in a fall rather than a climb down.
Better understanding the risk of workplace deaths gives you the opportunity to intervene and improve the health and safety of your workplace. There’s no way to reduce the risk of on-the-job death to zero, but with a simple combination of creating a better culture of safety, providing more protective equipment, and continuing to train and educate more, you can get pretty close. Are.