Construction Site Fall Accidents

Fall accidents in construction are one of the most common types of construction accidents in the United States. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), falls are the leading cause of fatalities in private sector construction. A recent report indicates that nearly 34 percent of construction-related deaths were due to construction site fall accidents. While employers have a duty to have fall protections in place for construction workers, there are still many victims that are seriously or fatally injured in these accidents.

The attorneys at Miller Kory Rowe LLP have successfully fought for many accident victims, including undocumented construction workers injured in construction-related fall accidents. We are happy to put our experience and resources to work for you. Below, we explain more about the following:

• Types of fall accidents in the construction industry
• Common causes of falls in construction
• How our team can help with a construction site accident claim

Types of Fall Accidents in Construction

There are various types of construction-related hazards on job sites. As this is the case, there are various types of construction site fall accidents that may occur. Fall accidents include, but are not limited to:

• Roofing accidents
• Scaffolding accidents
• Lift accidents
• Trench and excavation accidents

Additionally, any other type of accident where a construction worker falls from a significant height while on a job site may be considered a construction site fall accident.

What Causes the Most Falls in Construction?

Fall accidents in construction are common. However, in many cases these types of accidents are preventable. With the proper training and safety equipment, fewer construction workers would suffer from construction site fall accidents. Common causes for fall accidents related to construction include:

• Lack of safety training
• Lack of safety equipment
• Dangerous work conditions

Unfortunately, many contractors in the construction industry cut corners and violate OSHA safety requirements. OSHA has implemented a number of safety standards that contractors must meet to assist certain industries in eliminating construction-related hazards. When construction workers are at high or elevated positions on the job, contractors must follow safety procedures such as:

• General Protections. Contractors are generally required to provide fall systems for construction workers that are working higher than six feet above another surface. Additionally, they are required to ensure walking and working surfaces have the structural integrity to support workers.
• Unprotected Sides and Leading Edges. Safety net systems, guardrail systems, or personal fall arrest systems are required by OSHA if there is an unprotected side or leading-edge where a drop of six feet or more is present.
• Dangerous Equipment. If construction workers are six feet or higher above dangerous equipment, then guardrail systems, fall arrest systems or safety net systems are required.
• Hoist Areas. In hoist areas, construction workers are required to be protected from falling six feet or more with guardrails or personal arrest fall systems.
• Holes and Skylights. Where holes or skylights that are six feet or more above lower surfaces are present, contractors are required to protect workers with covers, personal arrest systems or guardrail systems.
• A fence, guardrail system, or barricade must be set up to protect an employee from an excavation that is six feet or more in-depth.