National Construction Safety Week is a celebration of safe work practices in the construction industry. Every year, national and global construction firms participate, reminding workers and supervisors of the importance of workplace safety.
This year’s celebration was originally scheduled for May 6 – 10, 2020, but the official Construction Safety Week website postponed the celebration due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. While in-person events are not possible right now, we can all use this week to think about workplace safety in the construction industry and ways to prevent common construction accidents.
Ladder Safety
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls from ladders are one of the leading causes of occupational injuries and fatalities in the United States.
When using a ladder, remember to:
- Read and follow all labels and instructions
- Avoid electrical hazards
- Inspect the ladder before using it (and pull damaged ladders from your workspace)
- Maintain a 3-point (2 hands, 1 foot or 2 feet, 1 hand) contact on the ladder when climbing
- Keep your body near the middle of the step when climbing
- Use ladders only on stable and level surfaces
- Refrain from exceeding the ladder’s weight capacities with workers and/or equipment
If you fall from a ladder, you may be able to recover workers’ compensation or file a third-party personal injury claim, depending on the circumstances of your accident. Nevertheless, litigation should be your last resort, and you should do everything in your power to avoid an injury when possible.
Eye Protection
OSHA reports that thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented. Every industry has certain standards for personal protective equipment (PPE), including eye and face protection. If you are not provided with protective eyewear, you can address the problem with your employer. If they refuse to cooperate, you can file a complaint with OSHA or even contact an attorney. When your employer’s negligence harms you, May, Rammell & Wells can help.
Safe Handling of Materials
You could be working with tons of steel, concrete, or even hazardous chemicals. No matter what you are storing or transporting, you need to do it safely. Your employer should help by providing you with training and education. No matter what, you have the right to a safe workplace.
If this right is violated and you are injured on the job, our construction accident attorneys can help.
Get the Legal Help You Need Today
Workplace injuries shouldn’t ruin your life. If you are having trouble getting workers’ comp benefits or you need to hold someone accountable for unacceptable conditions at work, our firm can help.
To schedule a free consultation with May, Rammell & Wells, please contact us at (208) 623-8021 or online as soon as you are able.
We look forward to hearing your story and guiding you through the legal process.
