Construction site accidents are often avoidable, and could have been prevented by taking simple safety precautions. In order to help keep workers safe, it is important that contractors and project managers understand the most common causes of construction site accidents and how to reduce the chances of them occurring.

Some of the most common causes of these accidents include: falls from height, electrocution, burns, being struck by a moving object, and being trapped under debris. By understanding the risks associated with each of these hazards, workers can take steps to avoid them and ensure a safer work environment.

What Are the Most Common Construction Site Accidents?

Due to the nature of construction work, construction site accidents can be highly dangerous or even fatal. In order to help keep workers safe, it is important to understand the most common causes of construction site accidents.

Slips, trips and falls caused by uneven or wet floors, loose cables and falls from height are some of the most common accidents on construction sites and pose risks of fractures and head injuries. Inadequate lighting and hazardous materials left lying around are common in construction sites and can lead to such accidents.

Electrical hazards such as exposed wiring, faulty power cords and damaged switchboards can cause electrocution. Burns are another common hazard and can be caused by a range of things such as welding torches, hot surfaces, and flammable materials.

The likelihood of hazards and their frequency depends on the type of work being undertaken and the stage that the construction is at; earlier stages will lead to higher chances of unstable structures while there may be more electronics exposed during later stages.

Heavy machinery is also commonly found on construction sites and moving objects pose a significant threat to workers caught off-guard. The injuries that are sustained from accidents involving heavy machinery are often severe and can be life-threatening.

What Can Contractors Do to Minimize the Risks of Construction Site Accidents?

In order to reduce the risk of such accidents, workers should take extra care when walking around the site, wear appropriate protective clothing and pay attention to their surroundings.

In order to minimize the risks of construction site accidents, contractors can take a number of steps. While workers should remain vigilant, it is ultimately on the contractor to reduce the chances of accidents happening by quickly dealing with any risks that arise.

Some examples of actions contractors can take to reduce the chances of accidents on construction sites include:

• Carrying out regular risk assessments to make sure the work environment is safe and that all hazards are identified and mitigated
• Providing adequate safety training for workers and ensuring that they are aware of the risks associated with their tasks
• Encouraging workers to report any unsafe conditions or potential hazards
• Providing workers with the appropriate protective equipment, such as hard hats, safety goggles, and gloves

By law, contractors are required to deal with hazards that are reported to them. If they fail to meet this requirement, or do not provide the means for workers and other site inhabitants to report hazards, contractors could be liable for legal repercussions.

To learn more about the legal requirements of contractors and the implications of neglecting these, or for advice on what to do if an accident has occurred on your construction site, speak to an expert personal injury solicitor – such as those at Graham Coffey & Co – today.

By Stuart Snape, Managing Partner at Graham Coffey & Co. Solicitors