Construction workers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have a dangerous job that requires a great deal of experience and safety training. That’s because the stakes are so high and can easily result in a fatal workplace injury. 

In Massachusetts, approximately 86 construction workers suffered fatal job-related injuries over the last five years, 37 of which (43 percent) involved falls from a height. 

Lack of skill is a lead factor 

According to a quarterly survey by USG Corp. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a shortage of skilled workers has construction leaders worried about potential safety risks. According to more than 2,700 survey responses in the Commercial Construction Index (for the third quarter of 2018): 

• 58 percent believed that workers who lack sufficient skills are making work sites more dangerous 
• 62 percent believed that safety risks will increase within the next three years 
• 80 percent were at least moderately concerned about the risk 
• 26 percent were highly concerned about the risk 

The survey also found that construction leaders are concerned about other safety challenges.  

• 49 percent were concerned about shorter construction schedules and 47 percent believed there would be a risk for the next three years.  
• 71 percent were moderately concerned about the risks posed by opioid use, with 39 percent being highly concerned.  
• 58 percent were moderately concerned about the use of alcohol, while 54 percent were concerned about marijuana use 
• 67 percent believed that safety training is the most crucial way to improve construction safety, while 53 percent believed safety accountability was the most important 

The fatal four

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there was a total of 4,693 work deaths in private industry during 2016. Approximately 991 (21.1 percent) were caused by construction accidents. The primary causes, coined the “fatal four,” included:  

• Falls: Out of the 991 construction deaths in 2016, 384 of them (38.7 percent) were caused by falls. 
• Struck by object incidents: 93 construction deaths (9.4 percent) were caused by workers being struck by equipment and construction materials.  
• Electrocutions: 82 construction deaths (8.3 percent) were caused by exposed wires.  
• Caught-in/between accidents: 72 construction deaths (7.3 percent) were caused by workers getting caught in between equipment, structures, or heavy objects.  

If you have been injured on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, regardless of what caused your accident. You may also be able to file a third-party claim. 

It’s best to speak to an experienced workers’ compensation attorney who understands the process and can answer the most complex legal questions. Contact the Law Offices of Deborah G. Kohl today for a free consultation.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 13th, 2018 at 3:59 pm and is filed under workers' compensation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.