Tools and Equipment Construction Workers Rely on for Safety

Construction workers must have the right tools and equipment or they are at higher risk for injury. Despite the fact that construction sites generally take safety precautions, workers in the construction industry are at more risk for injuries than workers in any other industry.

According to OSHA, close to 6.5 million people work at construction sites every day. An estimated 252,000 construction sites exist in the U.S. at any given time where workers are busy building or demolishing structures.

How can the right equipment protect construction workers?

Weight requirements ensure a scaffold is strong enough to hold four times the maximum load, and this can often prevent a collapse. In addition, competent persons should inspect and re-inspect the scaffolds at regular intervals to ensure they are working properly.

Workers must have personal protective equipment (PPE) to do construction work, including:

• Safety glasses or face shield
• Foot protection (safety toed footwear that is slip-resistant and has puncture-resistant soles
• Snug fitting gloves appropriate for the job (concrete, welding, or electrical work)
• Hard hats
• Earplugs/earmuffs in high noise work conditions

What types of work situations often result in injuries?

Work-related injuries frequently happen that involve:

• Falls from heights
• Scaffold collapse
• Trench collapse
• Electric shock
• Arc flash or arc blast
• Failure to use proper protective equipment
• Repetitive motion injuries

How do scaffolding accidents occur?

Workers can fall from scaffolds when they are not properly erected. If the scaffold isn't strong enough to hold its own weight plus four times the maximum load, it is more at risk for collapse. Loose items, such as bricks, concrete blocks, barrels, boxes and other objects must not be used to support scaffolds. Also, scaffolds must have guardrails, midrails and toe boards. Damaged braces, brackets or trusses can make a scaffold unsafe. In addition, the types of synthetic or natural rope used could give way if exposed to a heat-producing source. If the scaffold is closer than 10 feet away from a power line, workers may be in danger of injury.

If you have been seriously injured while doing scaffold work or some other type of construction, consult with an experienced accident lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights to recover compensation.