Working at a construction site in Pennsylvania requires everyone to remain alert for potential dangers. Accidents happen, and workers might suffer injuries on the job. Years of manual labor could sometimes result in repetitive stress injuries and other health woes. Understanding how people get hurt in construction jobs might reduce such occurrences.
Construction site hazards
Not all common injuries come to mind immediately when thinking about construction site hazards. People may not think about traffic accidents, but cars, trucks and other vehicles could be construction dangers and hit workers. The injuries might be severe and even life-threatening or career-ending.
Falls are more common than vehicle collisions since the volume of trip hazards, such as extension cords and tools on the ground, is high. Some falls might be from great heights, and falling off a ladder or scaffold could cause severe or fatal injuries. Objects could fall from heights, causing potentially fatal injuries. Even minor injuries may result in infections or downtime from work.
Construction workers often use tools to complete their tasks, and mishaps may result in harm. An error with a power saw or nail gun might be catastrophic. Many tools require a power source, typically an electrical one. Frayed cords might present shock hazards, as could any electrical wiring at the construction site.
Workers’ comp options
An employee at a construction site who gets hurt should report the injury to his or her employer and, if necessary, file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ comp is a state insurance law that protects employers from many injury-related lawsuits while providing financial support to workers who are unable to work because of their injuries. Wage loss, medical benefits, disfigurement and scarring, loss of body parts, and death (fatal claim) benefits are all part of Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law.
Employees must first notify their employers about the injury to start a claim. Problems with the claim might lead to a denial, but a denied claim can be appealed to a Workers’ Compensation Judge. Make sure that you consult a certified specialist workers’ compensation lawyer to protect your rights.