Construction is a driving force in our economy, shaping the world around us, but the nature of the work exposes workers to significant risks, and accidents can have devastating consequences. These incidents not only cause immense suffering for workers and their families, but they also inflict substantial financial losses on businesses.
Consider this: according to the National Safety Council, the average cost of a medically consulted injury is $40,000. However, a single fatality can cost a company $1.39 million. These figures don’t even include indirect costs like project delays, lost productivity, and the potential for increased insurance premiums. In total, work-related injuries cost the nation $167 billion in 2022.
This guide is not about dwelling on the negative. In fact, the good news is that effective construction injury prevention and management is possible with the right strategies and support.
Today we’ll take you through these strategies and provide you with some actionable tips on how to include them in your own construction accident prevention plan.
Most Common Construction Injuries
Slips and Trips
Slips and trips are among the most frequent non-fatal injuries on construction sites. These incidents often occur due to wet or slippery surfaces, cluttered walkways, uneven ground, or loose materials. The consequences can range from minor bruises to severe fractures, sprains, or head injuries. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls, slips, and trips accounted for 37.9% of all fatalities in the construction industry from 2015 to 2019.
Falls from Heights
Falls from heights, including falls from scaffolding, ladders, or roofs, are a leading cause of fatalities and severe injuries in construction. These incidents can result from inadequate fall protection, unstable work platforms, or lack of proper training. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that inadequate fall protection measures are the most frequently cited violation on sites.
Injuries from Heavy Machinery and Tools
Construction sites often involve the use of heavy machinery and power tools, which can pose significant risks if not handled properly. Workers may suffer injuries due to equipment malfunctions, lack of training, or inadequate safety protocols. These injuries can range from cuts and lacerations to crush injuries and amputations.
Broken Bones and Head Injuries
Broken bones and head injuries are common outcomes of various construction accidents, including falls, struck-by incidents, and caught-in/between hazards. These injuries can have long-lasting consequences, requiring extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Burns and Electrical Injuries
Burns and electrical injuries are another significant concern in the construction industry. Workers may be exposed to hot surfaces, chemicals, or electrical hazards. These injuries can be extremely painful and may lead to permanent disability or disfigurement. This can also be tied to the summer season, when construction heat safety is the most threatened by heat stress and illness.
Practical Tips for Construction Injury Prevention
Now that we’ve established the importance of prioritizing safety in construction, let’s get into the specifics of how to achieve it. Here are some practical construction safety tips that can significantly reduce the risk of injuries on your sites:
1. Have Regular Safety Training and Drills
Knowledge is a worker’s first line of defense. Schedule regular safety training sessions to keep workers up to date on the latest safety regulations, specific hazards associated with their tasks, and proper safety protocols. These sessions should be engaging and interactive, incorporating a mix of classroom instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on drills. Drills help workers practice emergency procedures, such as using fire extinguishers or responding to a fall from a height, so they can react calmly and effectively in a real-world situation.
2. Ensure Proper Use of PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) acts as a barrier between workers and potential dangers. Hard hats protect workers from falling objects and debris, safety glasses shield their eyes from dust and flying particles, gloves safeguard hands from cuts and abrasions, steel-toed boots provide protection from punctures and crushing injuries, and high-visibility clothing ensures workers are seen by others, especially in low-light conditions. Equipping workers with the right PPE for the job and ensuring they understand how to wear and maintain it properly is essential in injury prevention.
3. Maintain a Clean and Organized Work Area
Implement a systematic approach to keeping the work area clean and organized. This could involve designating specific areas for storing tools and materials, scheduling regular clean-up times throughout the day, and encouraging workers to tidy up their workspace as they go. Additionally, establish clear guidelines for waste disposal to prevent hazardous materials from accumulating onsite.
4. Have an Effective Injury Response Procedure
Despite even the best prevention efforts, accidents can still happen. Setting clear and well-rehearsed workplace injury response procedures ensures that everyone on the site knows exactly what to do in an emergency. This minimizes confusion, delays, and allows for a more efficient response.
5. Invest in Onsite Care
Taking this a step further, consider having dedicated medical professionals onsite for larger or higher-risk projects. Companies like JobSiteCare specialize in construction injury management, offering a unique solution to address workplace injuries. Our expert medics are supported by board-certified physicians to make certain that workers receive immediate and effective assessment and treatment.
Benefits of JobSiteCare’s Onsite Construction Injury Prevention
Traditional off-site care often results in delays, increased expenses, and unnecessary OSHA recordables and DART days. JobSiteCare’s onsite injury support solution offers a different path, one that prioritizes the immediate well-being of your workforce while minimizing disruptions to your operations.
Our experienced medics provide instant attention to injured workers, supported by board-certified doctors for advanced assessments when necessary. This ensures your team receives prompt, physician-led care without leaving the worksite, reducing downtime, and keeping your project on track.
This leads to:
Faster Response Times After Injuries
Our medics are always ready to respond within moments of an incident, providing immediate care and stabilizing the injured worker while connecting them with a physician via telemedicine. This swift action can significantly reduce the severity of injuries and accelerate the recovery process.
Decreased Claim Costs and Length
This prompt medical attention can prevent minor injuries from escalating into major ones, reducing the need for extensive and costly treatments and helping to minimize the overall cost of workplace injuries. Additionally, our streamlined case management process paves the way for a smooth recovery, minimizing lost time and associated expenses.
Fewer Claims and OSHA Recordables Generated
Immediate, onsite care and a facilitated, smooth recovery process also helps prevent injuries from becoming recordable incidents, maintaining a positive safety record for your company.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, construction work is about balancing between progress and protection. The unfortunate truth is that accidents are a part of the industry, but their impact can be lessened – and often even prevented – with the right actions.
By adopting these construction injury prevention tactics, you can build a workplace where your team thrives, productivity soars, and everyone returns home safely each day.
JobSiteCare’s dedication to providing workplace injury management solutions for the construction industry, anytime and anywhere, aligns seamlessly with this philosophy. Our model not only addresses the immediate needs of injured workers but also contributes to a long-term reduction in claims, costs, and lost time.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our customized solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to prevent construction injuries?
Preventing construction accidents and injuries requires a combination of measures: regular safety training and drills to ensure workers are aware of hazards and safe practices, providing and enforcing the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), maintaining a clean and organized work area to minimize trip and fall hazards, and having a well-defined injury response procedure in place, including access to on-site medical professionals like those offered by JobSiteCare.
What is the most common cause of injury in construction?
Falls are the leading cause of injury and fatalities in the construction industry. These can occur from roofs, ladders, scaffolds, or even at ground level due to uneven surfaces or clutter.
How can employers prevent construction site injury fees?
Employers can prevent construction site injury costs by investing in safety training and equipment, enforcing safety protocols, conducting regular safety audits, and promoting a culture of safety. Additionally, utilizing on-site medical services like those provided by JobSiteCare can help manage injuries effectively, potentially reducing complications and associated costs. By taking these steps, employers can not only protect their workforce but also safeguard their financial investments.
