Construction sites carry an innate risk due to the use of heavy machinery and construction equipment. The risk of injury can be significant, especially if you do not take the proper precautions.
We understand that this can be an uncomfortable topic to talk about, but being aware of the dangers of working on a construction site and how to prevent accidents can keep you safe and maybe even save your life. In this post, we will go over the most common types of construction accidents and how to help prevent the Fatal Four.
Fatal Construction Industry Statistics
- Close to 1 in 5 deaths among workers in the United States occur in the construction industry.
- In 2022, 1,056 construction workers died on the job.
- Construction workers between 25 and 34 years old are the most likely to sustain a work-related injury.
- In 2022, there were 169,600 recorded instances of injury and illness in the construction industry.
- As of 2023, around 7% of construction workers report having tinnitus due to exposure to hazardous noise on the job site.
What Are The Most Common Causes of Construction Accidents?
We know that construction sites can be dangerous to navigate, but what causes accidents on a construction site? While countless potential accidents can happen on a construction site, four big ones make up a large percentage of construction accidents each year. These four are referred to as the “Fatal Four,” and they include getting caught in or between, electrocution, being struck by an object, and falling.
1. Caught In/Between
Caught in or between accidents is one of the most common types of accidents to occur on a construction site. These refer to a group of construction accidents where an individual is crushed under, between, or even inside of a heavy object or heavy equipment. This can include a collapsed building or being crushed between two pieces of heavy machinery.
OSHA’s definition of a caught-in/between accident is when an individual is crushed between two or more objects. Examples of a caught in/between accident include:
- Getting pinned under debris during a demolition project
- Getting pinned inside a piece of heavy machinery
- Being caught between two pieces of heavy machinery
2. Electrocution
Electrocutions refer to a cause of death where an individual gets shocked with a deadly level of electricity. These construction accidents can happen when a person comes in contact with either overhead or underground power lines and there is some kind of error with the energy source such as a defective generator or open wires. While these accidents are one of the most common, they can be avoided by steering clear of electrical wires and contacting the utility company when construction needs to happen near a significant power line.
3. Struck by Object
Being struck by an object on a construction site can lead to serious injuries and long-lasting repercussions. These types of construction site accidents can happen from heavy equipment usage or falling objects hitting an individual. Blows to the head are especially dangerous, as they can lead to serious injuries such as a concussion or traumatic brain injury. Any incident in which an individual is struck with a heavy object needs to be taken seriously and addressed quickly to keep everyone on the construction site safe.
4. Falling
Falls are the leading cause of death or serious injury on a construction site. Falls can include falling from a large height as well as trips and slips that lead to serious injuries. While a slip sounds harmless at first, it can lead to serious injuries such as traumatic brain damage and spinal cord damage that can even lead to paralysis.
The Other Types of Construction Accidents
While the Fatal Four are the most common types of accidents on a construction site, they are not the only ways construction workers can be hurt on a job site. Other causes of construction site injuries include the following.
- Vehicle-Related Accidents: These accidents can include any motorized vehicle such as a company truck.
- Fires and Explosions: Many workplace injuries occur due to an accidental fire or explosion, leading to severe burns and other injuries.
- Highway or Freeway Collisions: The risk of injury is not only present on the construction site, there is also the risk of injury traveling to and from the construction site.
- Backovers and Crushing Hazards: One risk that comes with operating heavy machinery is the risk of injury due to accidental backovers or crushings. This is why it is important to be certified and trained in how to operate heavy machinery.
- Repetitive Motion Injuries, Heat Stroke, and Other Overexertion Injuries: Overexerting yourself on a construction site can lead to serious injuries such as heat stroke or stress fractures.
- High Lead Levels: Exposure to high levels of lead on the construction site can lead to physical illness and long-term side effects.
What You Can Do to Prevent the Fatal Four
The Fatal Four construction site accidents are unnerving to think about, but it is an important discussion to have. Workers need to be aware of the dangers on a construction site and what they can practice to help prevent these accidents. There are four basic practices that you can implement to keep you and everyone else on the construction site safe and prevent the Fatal Four accidents from happening.
- Follow OSHA Guidelines: OSHA guidelines are there to keep you safe and prevent workplace accidents. Be sure to follow these guidelines carefully to help prevent any construction accidents.
- Wear PPE: Basic construction safety includes wearing your personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever you are on a construction site.
- Get an Education: Earning heavy equipment certifications and training from an accredited college or university can give you the knowledge and skills to keep you safe as you work with heavy equipment.
- Keep Learning: There is always a new thing to learn, and being open to learning beyond your time in school can create new opportunities and new knowledge to keep you safe.
Are You Ready to Pursue a Career in the Construction Industry?
Interested in pursuing a career in construction? The Heavy Equipment Colleges of America offers heavy equipment training programs and certifications that can help you get started working in the construction industry. As a student, you will learn about proper heavy equipment management as well as heavy equipment safety tips that will help keep you and everyone else on the construction site safe. Our programs cover OSHA guidelines and basic construction safety, preparing you to enter the workforce.
We have campuses located in Georgia, Oklahoma, California, and Washington State. If you have any questions about the programs we offer or the application process, do not hesitate to reach out to a location near you!
