OSHA’s Construction “Fatal Four”
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal organization under the U.S. Department of Labor. The agency’s number one task is to oversee job safety throughout all sectors in the country. For construction workers, OSHA represents a necessary safeguard.
Everyone from the foreman to the helpers on the site understand that OSHA regulations keep them safe, no matter how cumbersome the rules may seem. A company’s adherence to OSHA standards can be directly related to the likelihood that their workers will experience an accident with injuries while on the job.
In addition to creating safety regulations, OSHA also investigates accidents to determine their cause and develop prevention strategies.
According to OSHA’s website, there are four specific causes of construction accidents that lead to the greatest number of fatalities. They coined these four cases “The Fatal Four”.
They include:
These four causes account for approximately 57% of all construction site fatalities. According to OSHA, “Eliminating the Fatal Four would save 431 workers’ lives in America every year.”
A great amount of attention is paid to preventing accidents from the Fatal Four in the OSHA standards. From how high you have to be before being required to wear a harness, to under what circumstances machines must be shut down for maintenance, OSHA standards dictate hundreds of safety measures on construction sites.
Once a serious construction site accident happens, whether fatal or not, OSHA determines the cause and whether any violations occurred. A violation could result in sanctions and other legal action against the company overseeing the job.
Construction is one of the most dangerous fields to work in. Whether you work for a company that takes safety very seriously, or one who is a little more “laid back,” dangers exist.
When you are hurt in a construction accident it can seem like everyone is quick to point fingers. No one wants to be blamed for your injuries or a coworker’s death. But usually, there is some fault to be found.
If you’ve been hurt in a New York or New Jersey construction site accident, you need someone on your side, working for your best interests. At Ginarte, we understand what you are going through and want to help.
We have represented hundreds of construction workers injured on the job. Whether you are suffering with broken bones or soft tissue injuries, we may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Call our attorneys today to discuss what your options are and what can be done. You can reach us at 888-GINARTE or by filling out this quick contact form.
