The Fatal Four Construction Accidents By Foley Law Firm on January 13, 2019

Workers at a construction siteConstruction is one of the most dangerous lines of work in America. Roughly 4 percent of the American workforce is comprised of construction workers, and yet construction workers account for roughly 21 percent of workplace fatalities every year. The majority of deadly construction accidents are the result of “the Fatal Four”:

  • Falls
  • Struck by objects
  • Electrocution
  • Caught-in/between

The Scranton, PA construction accident attorneys here at Foley Law Firm would like to consider the severity of the Fatal Four. By putting these kinds of accidents into perspective, we hope this helps you think about safety at construction sites and you legal rights and options.

How Many Fatalities Does the Fatal Four Cause?

According to statistics from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Fatal Four was responsible for 63.7 percent of all construction worker fatalities in 2016. Here is a breakdown of those numbers:

  • Falls - 384 fatalities (38.7 percent)
  • Struck by Object - 93 fatalities (9.4 percent)
  • Electrocutions - 82 fatalities (8.3 percent)
  • Caught/Crushed Between Objects - 72 fatalities (7.3 percent)

Falls at Construction Sites

Any time there is a risk of falling at a construction site, workers and companies must be diligently in taking safety precautions. This goes for work near ledges of structures, on scaffolding, or in boom lift buckets. Workers must use safety lines, and nets may be considered to help prevent fatal falls. Any work that is high up should not be performed during poor weather or high winds to minimize falling risk.

Struck by Objects at Construction Sites

Being struck by objects means being hit by falling items or errant items at a construction site. This could refer to tools and building materials falling from high up or stray bolts or materials being propelled at workers. Incidents such as these emphasize the importance of wearing head protection and eye protection at all times while at a construction site.

Electrocution at Construction Sites

Electrocution injuries can result in severe harm to any workers who are shocked. Even if the electrocution does not kill the worker, the long-term effects can be debilitating. Electrical burns can catastrophic, and lasting harm may be done to nerve and muscle tissue. Only skilled electricians should be working on wiring at a construction site, and all caution must be taken when working with plugged in equipment.

Caught-In/Between at Construction Sites

Caught-in/between accidents mean that a worker was crushed or pinned by objects at a construction site. This covers incidents such as scaffolding collapses, being compressed by heavy equipment or vehicles, and so forth. These sorts of incidents are a reminder that workers must be aware of their position and the positions of all of their co-workers at all times. Lapses in awareness could mean tragic accidents.

Contact Our Team of Attorneys

For more information about your legal rights and options in construction accidents, be sure to contact our team of injury and negligence attorneys. The lawyers of Foley Law Firm are here to help. You can reach our Scranton office by phone at (570) 342-8194 and our Stroudsburg office by phone at (570) 424-1757.

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The attorneys of the Foley Law Firm provide committed personal injury representation to eastern Pennsylvania. Our firm is proud to be affiliated with prominent organizations, including:

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