When you climb up on high platforms while working on a construction site, you may not realize at first how much danger surrounds you.
Even one small action that goes wrong can lead to a serious head or back injury. Negligent coworkers or unsafe scaffolding impact the likelihood of these common injuries.
Crush and equipment injuries
According to the United States Department of Labor, if large truck or concrete mixer drivers back up and fail to look for people behind them, they could crush your legs and spine. Even if you are wearing safety gear, you could still suffer serious injuries from cranes or other machinery.
Being crushed against a hard piece of equipment or a wall can leave you unable to walk or complete your job as usual.
Falls from heights
If someone leaves a tool out in the place where people commonly walk, it could lead to you tripping and falling. Scaffolds are typically several feet above the ground. This kind of situation is dangerous when you are carrying heavy items or working on a platform that is not properly balanced.
Malfunctioning tools
Whether it is a nail gun misfiring or an electrical fire starting, you can suffer from burns or even paralysis when a tool malfunctions while you are using it. Due to the number of chemicals and electrical cords on a construction site, it is important for your workplace to check any equipment in use regularly.
Understanding why scaffolds are a source of possible danger can help you if you are wondering what steps to take after an injury at work.