The Fatal Four-The Most Common Construction Accidents

Though it’s generally accepted that construction sites are among the most dangerous places to work in America, and that there are almost endless ways to get hurt because of the nature of the work, there are four types of accidents that account for nearly 60% of all construction site fatalities: falls from heights, falling objects, electrocution and crushing accidents, so-called “caught in or between” types of injuries.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), one in every five work-related deaths in 2014 was on a construction site. Of the 874 deaths on construction jobs, almost 40% (349) were from falls from heights. Not surprisingly, the top ten OSHA violations on construction sites included three factors directly tied to construction site falls:

• Failure to provide adequate fall protection, including rails, barriers and other devices (the most frequently cited violation)
• Failure to ensure that scaffolding was properly set up or was in working order
• Violations related to maintenance, use and condition of ladders

Nearly 10% (74) of construction site fatalities were the result of exposure to electrical current. Again, OSHA reported violations related to wiring methods, components and equipment and electrical systems design were frequent citations, listed among the top ten reported violations.

Nearly as many construction workers (73) were killed by falling objects in 2014 and 12 died when caught in or between a machine, piece of equipment or construction material.

Officials at OSHA estimate that, if the “fatal four” accidents could be eliminated on construction sites across the United States, more than 500 lives would be saved every year.

Contact Our Office

If you or someone you love has been hurt in a construction site accident, we can help. We offer every client a free initial consultation. For a private meeting, contact us online or call our offices, in New Brunswick at 732-247-3600 or in Somerville at 908-448-2560.