What are construction’s fatal four?

The construction industry is well known for being one of the most dangerous industries someone can work in, if not the most dangerous. If you strictly look at the total number of fatal accidents every year, it clearly stands out as the most dangerous. This is not necessarily the whole story since the fatal accident rates are higher in some smaller industries, but totals are highest for construction because it is such a massive industry. Many workers are exposed to risks every day. 

In fact, since construction leads all industries in fatal accidents, studies have been done to determine why and how this happens. What they have found is that there are four different types of accidents that lead to the vast majority of these cases. These have been termed the Fatal Four, and they are as follows.

1. Falls

By far, falls cause the most fatal accidents and serious injuries. These can happen at heights, such as when working on a roof, or if someone simply trips and falls on the job site.

2. Struck by an object

Next are accidents when someone is struck by an object. This could occur when someone is hit by a moving vehicle on the job site, for instance, or when a power tool falls from a higher level on the structure.

3. Caught-between

Caught-between accidents are when someone becomes pinned or trapped. One way that this happens is if there is a trench collapse, which is why proper collapse prevention devices need to be used whenever workers are in the trench.

4. Electrocutions

Some electrocutions just happen when workers are at heights, near exposed power lines. But accidents also happen when they’re working with wires and electrical systems on the site. Either way, these accidents can happen quickly and can have serious ramifications.

Those who have lost a loved one in a workplace accident need to know what legal steps they can take.