Falls were one of the top causes of workplace accidents and deaths in 2017, according to data from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Data from investigations conducted during Fiscal Year 2017 (October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017) revealed the following standards violations:
- Fall protection, construction
- Hazard communication standard, general industry
- Scaffolding, general requirements, construction
- Respiratory protection, general industry
- Control of hazardous energy, general industry
- Ladders, construction
- Powered industrial trucks, general industry
- Machinery and Machine Guarding, general requirements
- Fall protection, training requirements
- Electrical, wiring methods, components and equipment, general industry
This list, which reflects violations discovered during OSHA investigations of workplace injuries and deaths, shows that falls on construction sites remain a leading cause of injuries and death. Fall protection is inadequate in these cases, scaffolding is not properly set up and secured and training in fall prevention is lacking.
In 2016, falls accounted for 38.7% of construction site deaths in the United States. This number was four times higher than the next leading cause of death, workers struck by objects, which accounted for 9.4% of deaths. Working at heights and working on ladders and scaffolding remain the most dangerous aspect of construction jobs. OSHA data for Fiscal Year 2017 show that there is still much to be done in the area of fall protection and worker training.
Limitations of Workers’ Compensation
Falls remain a leading cause of serious injuries on construction sites. For those hurt on job sites, it is important to understand that Workers’ Compensation is not the only source of financial relief available.
Workers’ Compensation exists only to replace a portion of your income while you are out of work. If you suffer a serious accident that prevents you from returning to work, or that results in significant medical bills, pain or suffering, you need to look beyond Workers’ Compensation as a remedy.
Negligence on the part of employers and third parties can be a cause of workplace falls. Improper setup of ladders and scaffolding, insufficient training in safety procedures and insufficient safety equipment may be the root cause of a fall that leads to injury or death.
Workers’ Compensation provides no payments for negligence. Workers must therefore find a way to determine whether third-party negligence contributed to their accidents. This is where experienced workplace accident attorneys can help.
Sheff Law has extensive experience identifying third-party negligence and holding those third parties accountable. We investigate every aspect of workplace accidents to uncover negligence in training, equipment and procedures. We specialize in traumatic brain injury and other “invisible” neurological injuries and develop lifelong care plans for injured workers that provide superior settlements for those hurt on the job.
If you have been hurt on the job, we will provide a free, no-obligation consultation to evaluate your case and explain your legal rights. Contact us online or call us at 1-888-423-4477.
