What are the common construction injuries? Despite recent improvements in safety, working in the construction industry remains one of the riskiest occupations. 20% of all occupational fatalities are related to the construction business, according to data on construction injuries.
Thus, contractors must seize every chance to guarantee that job safety continues to be a top concern. But putting money into health and safety programs might help firms cut costs while also boosting worker productivity and, more importantly, saving lives.
These are eight data on construction injuries that show how crucial workplace safety is to the construction sector.
- Small construction companies are more likely to experience fatal accidents.
Smaller companies do not always have the means to implement stringent safety regulations and offer enough training. This may help to explain why over half of all construction-related deaths occur in companies with less than 10 employees or among independent contractors. - The great majority of fatal incidents involving construction workers fall into only four categories.
According to data on construction injuries, 59.9% of private-sector construction worker fatalities result from falls, being struck by an item (such a piece of heavy equipment), electrocution, being stuck in or wedged between two objects, and other accidents. - A worker is more likely to die from a fall if he or she works in the construction industry.
51% of all fatal workplace falls are caused by the construction sector. The fact that so many construction workers spend their days balancing on scaffolding or climbing on and out of heavy equipment makes this unsurprising, but it serves as a reminder that fall prevention training need to be a key part of any company’s safety program. - The likelihood that a construction worker may pass away in a job accident is one in 200.
Those who work in the construction industry for an average of 45 years have a one in 200 chance of dying in an accident at work. This figure is a timely reminder that safety inspections should be conducted at all times since danger never sleeps. As a result, employees must always be vigilant. - This year, there is a 10% chance that a construction worker would hurt themself at work.
Deaths are terrible, but they are not common. The abundance of non-fatal injuries that frequently take place on construction sites, however, is more common. Compared to other industries, the risk of non-fatal injuries at construction sites is 71% higher. One out of every ten workers in the construction industry gets injured in an accident each year.
- Expensive items don’t just include medical costs.
Without a question, workman’s compensation claims are expensive for employers. For instance, the typical hospital bill following a fatal accident for a construction business is $991,027. Nevertheless, medical expenses are just one of the numerous expenses related to workplace accidents. Injury costs US firms 104 million production days in 2017, for instance, which lowers productivity. The indirect costs of accidents can also be up to 17 times greater than the direct expenditures, according to Safety & Health Magazine. - Safety measures prevent tens of thousands of dollars in expenses.
The best way to reduce costs associated with occupational injuries is to completely eliminate them. Businesses in the construction industry may save an average of $32,000 for every injury prevented. In addition, for every $50,000 in losses due to harm, disease, or damage, a construction business must sell an extra $1,667,000 in services in order to turn a 3% profit. On the other side, studies have shown that spending money on corporate safety training results in significant cost savings. For every $1 invested in a health and safety program, a business receives $8 in return. - Workplace-related industries and fatalities are declining nationwide.
Even while these numbers paint a dire picture of the construction sector, there is some positive news. The number of workplace accidents and deaths is declining nationwide in the US. Moreover, with only 33 deaths in 2017, crane-related occupational fatalities reached a record low. In addition, since 1972, when there were 10.9 incidents per 100 employees, the figures on construction injuries have declined. In 2017, there were 2.8 per 100 employees.
Although while accidents are certain to happen, construction businesses may make sure that they happen as little as possible by doing routine inspections and having frequent training sessions. This plan will enhance production, protect staff, and lower expenses for the company. When employees are secure, healthy, and content, everyone wins.
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