Unfortunately, accidents are all too common in the construction industry. And just as with many other dangerous fields, construction incidents pose serious risks to not only the health and lives of workers and bystanders but also to the finances and reputation of the company involved.
There are many different reasons these accidents take place. However, for those in the local area who have already experienced this situation, getting in contact with an Austin construction accident lawyer is a critical step that needs to be taken as soon as possible. This is to protect not only the injured worker but also their family and their finances. In today’s post, we will take a look at the most common reasons these accidents occur:
Lack of Training or Experience
One of the main reasons incidents occur on construction sites is inadequately trained employees. When workers are not trained in the proper techniques for using certain tools, machinery, or other equipment, as well as how to follow safety protocols, accidents become much more likely.
And that training isn’t restricted to just learning how to handle the equipment properly; it’s also meant to teach workers how to identify potential hazards beforehand and deal with them accordingly.
Unsafe or Hazardous Working Conditions
Construction sites are already dangerous simply due to the nature of the work. However, failure to maintain safe working conditions increases the risk of accidents and injuries greatly. Just a few examples include:
- Poorly maintained equipment
- Inadequate lighting
- Not having the correct tools or machines for a task
- Exposure to toxic substances or other hazardous materials
Inadequate Safety Equipment
Improperly maintained or insufficient safety equipment is also a leading cause of construction accidents. In fact, many cases that Austin construction accident lawyers commonly deal with have to do with some type of safety equipment or training issue.
Standard protective equipment includes hard hats, gloves, safety glasses, and harnesses for any type of elevated work. Certain tasks often require additional equipment, depending on the job.
Human Error/ Lack of Attention
Human mistakes are a risk in any industry. However, in the construction field, those mistakes can become deadly. With so much heavy machinery and materials, the slightest error can prove disastrous. Poor judgment, being distracted, or not paying attention to the task at hand can cause serious injury or even fatalities.
Breakdown in Communication
Poor communication between supervisors, laborers, and the different companies themselves (construction projects often require multiple different companies), can lead to dangerous situations.
Misreading drafts or blueprints, changes in engineering designs that fail to get relayed properly, as well as failing to alert others to what may already be going on in a certain area can all lead to serious incidents.
Finding the Right Austin Construction Accident Lawyer
Jobsite accidents can also be the result of any combination of the issues we’ve covered today, as well as others such as rushed deadlines or extreme temperatures. No matter the cause of your accident, making sure that you have a qualified and experienced attorney should be your top concern, next to recovering and getting healthy again.