Most Common Construction Injuries – Could You Be Entitled to Compensation?

There is no doubt that working in construction can come with certain risks. Construction sites by their very nature can be fraught with danger and as such it is important to adhere closely to all health and safety rules and on-site instructions. However, no matter how careful you are accidents can sometimes happen.

While some injuries sustained are completely accidental, others could have been avoided. So, in this article we are going to take a look at the most common construction injuries. We will also examine what you can do if you are injured while working on a construction site through the negligent actions of a third party whether that is your employer or a work colleague, and your rights to make a construction accident claim.

 

Table of Contents

1. Slips, Trips and Falls
2. Falls From Height
3. Accidents that are caused by defective machinery or equipment
4. Items Falling From Height
5. Manual Handling Injuries
6. How Commonplace are Accidents on Construction Sites?
7. Who Is Responsible for Injuries sustained on a construction site?
8. What should you Do If you are Injured While Working In Construction and it Wasn’t Your Fault

 

Slips, Trips and Falls

Probably the most common cause of injury on construction sites are slips, trips and falls. Construction workers routinely have to navigate surfaces that may be slippy or littered with potholes and other trip hazards such as loose cables.

• Fractures and breaks
• Wrist and ankle injuries
• Ligament damage
• Cuts and bruising
• Shoulder dislocations

However, while it is probably impossible to completely eliminate slips, trips and falls there are certain measures you can take to prevent them which include:

• Keeping pathways clear
• Report any Potential Hazards as soon as you see them
• Having an awareness of what is around you
• Only Wearing suitable footwear
• Cleaning spillages as soon as they happen
• Removing any objects that constitute a trip hazard

 

Falls From Height

Ladders and Scaffolding are routinely used on construction sites and as such falling from height is a major cause of injury on them. Injuries resulting from a fall from height can be severe and in some cases, fatal. The most common construction injuries associated with falls from height are:

• Broken and Fractured Bones
• Head Injuries
• Spinal Injuries

If you want to mitigate the chances of a fall from height then you should take the following steps:

• Make regular safety checks on ladders and scaffolding
• Do not overload ladders
• Ensure handrails are fitted on ladders and scaffolding
• Use safety harnesses
• Always wear a safety helmet
• Using fall protection systems, for example, guardrails, canopy structures, or toe boards
• Always carry out a risk assessment

 

Accidents that are Caused by Defective Machinery or Equipment

Injuries on construction sites often happen because of faulty machinery or equipment. Workers within the construction sector are often required to use tools such as jackhammers and power tools. It is imperative that before using any tools or equipment you are given proper training.

This is because Improperly utilised or malfunctioning machinery and equipment can lead to issues such as:

• Lacerations
• Cuts
• Broken bones
• Paralysis
• In the Worst Case Scenarios Fatality

Always remember it is the responsibility of your employer to have all machinery regularly maintained in order to comply with health and safety legislation. If they do not carry out these checks and you are injured by faulty machinery you could be entitled to construction site injury compensation.

 

Items Falling From Height

Accidents and injuries within the construction sector may result from objects falling from height. This can happen when tools, various building materials, or even sections of scaffolding descend. To minimise injuries caused by falling objects, consider implementing the following measures:

• Always ensure there are warning signs near areas such as scaffolding where objects may fall from
• Hard hats should be worn at all times
• Avoiding walking in areas where objects may fall

There are four categories of injury that can result in fatalities, and objects falling from height comes within this classification. Injuries generally associated with this type of incident can range from minor cuts and bruises to more significant issues such as brain damage or fatalities.

 

Manual Handling Injuries

Working in construction frequently involves manual labour, such as transporting bricks and shifting hefty materials like sand and cement. Injuries stemming from manual handling, particularly affecting the back and neck, are commonplace. Back and spinal cord injuries stand out as prevalent issues among construction workers.

To mitigate the likelihood of injuries or accidents during manual labour, it is crucial for workers to adopt proper lifting techniques, a skill that employers should provide training for.

The issues listed above are probably the most common reasons for injury on a building site. However, other less obvious reasons and injuries include:

• Burns, electric shocks and fatalities through electrocution
• Crush injuries from ground collapses
• Vibration white finger and hand arm vibration syndrome – from using power tools
• Repetitive strain injuries

 

How Commonplace are Accidents on Construction Sites?

Accidents are prevalent in the construction industry in the UK, making it one of the most hazardous sectors to work in. Annually, hundreds of construction workers experience accidents resulting in injuries or fatalities.

According to health and safety executive statistics, seven workers lose their lives each year due to accidents involving vehicles in the construction industry, with an additional 93 workers suffering serious injuries annually.

Moreover, one out of every three fatal slips, trips, and falls in the UK occurs within the construction sector. Falls constitute 35% of all accidents reported in the construction industry.

 

Who Is Responsible for Injuries sustained on a construction site?

As a question, this is subjective; ultimately, it is the responsibility of the employer to provide a safe working environment for anyone employed there. However, there is still a requirement for workers themselves to abide by health and safety regulations. If you do not comply with safety guidelines on-site, you could be putting not only yourself but also your colleagues at risk. If you feel you have been injured as a result of negligence by your employer or a work colleague, you could well be eligible for construction industry compensation.

 

What should you do if you are Injured While Working in Construction and it Wasn’t Your Fault

The first thing to do if you sustain an injury while working in construction that wasn’t your fault is to contact a personal injury solicitor. At Tylers our team of no win no fee personal injury solicitors has the expert legal knowledge required to help you get the construction injury compensation you deserve.

If you are injured, you must make sure you visit your GP or a hospital A&E department to get your injuries documented. When claiming construction injury compensation, the more evidence you have to support your claim the better the chances you are of getting a successful outcome. If you feel you have been injured at work and it wasn’t your fault, get in touch with the team here at Tylers solicitors today.

Hopefully, the information in this blog post will give you a better understanding of the causes and reasons for construction injuries, how you can avoid them and how to go about claiming compensation if you are unfortunate enough to be injured. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team on 0800 699 0079 or via our online contact form!