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What are the fatal four construction accidents?

On Behalf of | Apr 3, 2017 | workers' compensation

If you are employed in the construction industry, you may know that it is one of the most dangerous in the nation. According to the United States Department of Labor, approximately one in five, or 21.4 percent, of worker fatalities were in the construction industry in 2015. The term ‘fatal four’ was created to represent the top four top causes of construction worker deaths in Georgia and across the nation.

Of the four, falls are the most deadly accidents in construction, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Out of 937 total deaths in the industry, 364 involved falls at the construction site. Approximately 90 of those deaths occurred when workers were struck by an object, and electrocutions came in third with 81 fatalities. The forth most common type of construction workplace deaths occurred when employees were caught in-between two objects, and were compressed or crushed as a result. Researchers reported that efforts to reduce or eliminate the fatal four altogether would save at least 602 lives annually.

Ultimately, employers are responsible for providing a safe environment of their workers. However, when it comes to working on a dangerous jobsite, workers must also take certain precautions to protect themselves from danger. Each construction worker should be properly trained and given all of the tools necessary to stay safe on site. Furthermore, workers should remain cautious and always concentrate on the task at hand. One small oversight or mistake could cost a life.

This information is intended to educate and should not be taken as legal advice. 

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