Going to work can be a dangerous occupation. Around 100 workers die each week while working across the United States, according to 2018 statistics from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
A fifth of these were construction workers, and half of their deaths were down to just four things:
- 5% A fall from a height
- 1% Hit by an object
- 5% Electrocution
- 5% Trapped, caught in or crushed by machinery or falling structures
For every person killed, many more escaped with only injuries.
OSHA has increased regulation of the construction industry and other industries over the years. The number of workers killed across the country each week is less than half of what it was in 1970. However, there are still many deaths and injuries that could be avoided.
When looking at the 2018 deaths, OSHA finds that its guidelines were not adhered to in many cases. Construction sites can be a high-pressure environment. Short cuts can be taken to increase profit for the company or to speed up the work, resulting in increased risk if you are working on site.
If you are injured while working on a New Jersey construction site, contact an attorney. Your employer should have workers’ compensation insurance to cover any injuries you suffer as well as your lost earnings. You are not required to prove fault when claiming workers’ compensation. However, if you feel your employer disregarded safety recommendations or was at fault for your accident, you could choose to pursue other legal options, too.