Every day, more than 6.5 million people go to work on construction sites across the country. These workers build skyscrapers, bridges, and parking garages. They help our economy grow and improve brick by brick. Yet, workers in the construction industry are in constant danger. In fact, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the fatal injury rate in construction is higher than the national average.
One of the most dangerous parts of the job is working around heavy machinery. These powerful machines are vital to the construction industry, but they pose a serious risk to workers. When not handled properly, they can maim, injure, or kill workers in the blink of an eye. If this happens to you on a Tennessee construction site, contact a construction accident lawyer in Nashville to learn more about your legal options.
MOST COMMON CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY ACCIDENTS
There are many ways a machine accident could occur on a construction site. Sadly, failure to follow safety protocols and negligence cause many of these accidents.
OSHA identified the most common cause of worksite injuries related to machinery. Those causes included:
- Getting on and off machines
- Loading and unloading equipment
- Crowded work areas
- Equipment and machine swing radius
- Operation of equipment on a slope
- Buried or overhead obstructions
- Machine backing
- Machine upset
- Instability or load loss
CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND SAFETY
One of the easiest ways to help prevent serious and fatal construction accidents is the use of machine guards. Machine guards are devices or items on machines that protect workers from the exposed areas of that machine. These guards are strategically placed to prevent deadly accidents to the worker, as well as others around them.
Unfortunately, not all machines are guarded properly. Some are too old and were not manufactured with a guard. Others broke and did not get repaired. Sometimes workers or employers remove the guard for a specific purpose. This is not only dangerous but against OSHA regulations. If a worker sees an unguarded or insufficiently guarded machinery, they should report this issue to their manager immediately.
EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR MACHINE SAFETY
A construction employer has a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their workers. They also have a responsibility to train their employees to correctly and safely use all machinery on-site. This training should not just occur when hired. On-going training is the key to reducing the number of serious and fatal machinery accidents.
An employer should also make sure that all their machinery has proper working guards. When another worker reports unsafe behavior or equipment, employers should take those reports seriously. Employers that take swift action help to ensure the safety of everyone on their job site.
EMPLOYEE’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR MACHINE SAFETY
Safety on a construction site is not just the employer’s responsibility. Employees also have a responsibility to keep their working environment safe. This means adhering to all safety protocols and not cutting corners. When working around machinery, workers should always use safe practices and encourage their coworkers to do the same.
Employees can ensure their safety by wearing appropriate safety gear, using safety equipment and features, and staying focused on the task. If an employee notices another worker using unsafe practices, they should notify management immediately. Likewise, if an employee sees an OSHA violation, they should speak up.
CONTACT OUR CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT LAWYER IN NASHVILLE
If you suffered an injury on the construction site, your career could be over. Your entire life may be turned upside down in a moment. Construction sites are dangerous and full of heavy machinery that can maim, injure, or kill workers. When this happens, our construction accident lawyers in Nashville at the Law Office of Stanley A. Davis are here to help. We have represented injured clients across the state of Tennessee. Call us today at (615) 866-3938 today or fill out our confidential contact form. We can start with a free initial consultation and help you on the road towards recovery. Call us today!