The construction industry is an ever-evolving one. New building materials, designs, and regulations are constantly being introduced, along with new hazards for workers to be aware of.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has identified four main causes of construction accidents in Pittsburgh:
1. Accidents Involving Heavy Machinery
Heavy machinery is common at construction sites. Accidents involving heavy machinery are therefore quite common in Pittsburgh.
This can happen when a truck carrying materials hits another vehicle or when an employee drives a company vehicle into another worker while backing up or turning around in a parking lot or driveway.
Seek out the help of law firms immediately in accidents involving heavy machinery.
2. Falling From Heights
Falls are by far the most common cause of death on construction sites. More than half of all fatal falls occur from heights greater than six feet.
Falls are often caused by workers who fail to use fall protection equipment or safety nets, as well as employers who fail to ensure that it is being used properly.
Working at heights is always a risk and managing it takes time and experience. Scaffolding and ladders are especially risky.
3. Struck By Falling Objects
Workers can be struck by falling objects or vehicles at any time during their jobs – even if they are not working at heights!
If you are on a site where this risk exists, make sure that all employees know how to properly secure materials and vehicles before beginning work each day so nobody gets hurt later down the road during their shift.
An attorney can help you determine the best course of action in these cases.
4. Exposure To Hazardous Substances
Contact with electrical current, fire, explosion, or substance poisoning such as that from asbestos is the next major cause. These are occupational hazards that can affect anyone working around electricity
A Pittsburgh construction accident lawyer from a reputable law firm such as Pittsburgh Injury Lawyer will ensure that you get the best results from the justice system in such complex cases.
In Conclusion
Apart from those, electrocution, fires, traffic collisions, and equipment failures are also big causes of construction accidents in Pittsburgh. Electrocution and fires are the most common of these.
- Electrocution occurs when electricity enters the body through skin contact with exposed wires or other sources of electricity like power lines or transformers. Workers can also be electrocuted by touching both live and grounded objects at the same time if they do not use proper grounding techniques during certain tasks such as welding or installing wiring.
- On the other hand, fires can occur at any time during construction projects, but they are especially common in locations where temperatures can rise very high.
Pick any random Pittsburgh construction accident lawyer and they will tell you that you cannot let such cases be handled without thorough investigation. That is precisely where attorneys step in. Good lawyers from a respectable law firm will help the investigation process and make the best case on your behalf.