When you shoot the breeze with a good buddy who works construction, it’s not long before the accident stories begin to surface.
In fact, a certain family member of mine is legendary for surviving a fall off of a steep, two-story roof. He was self-employed, working alone, and the house was rather isolated. Fortunately someone drove by and saw him lying on the ground.
His injuries were not covered by any workers’ compensation. He lost weeks of work. He spent many pain-filled days. Recovery was a long, slow process.
The most troubling part was that his injuries were largely preventable. All he needed was about $150 worth of safety equipment (safety harness, rope, and roof anchors). Thankfully, he recovered!
Shockingly, according to OSHA, the number one standard that is commonly violated in the construction industry is fall protection!
https://www.osha.gov/oshstats/commonstats.html
We can only take a stab at the reasons. Maybe companies are trying to save money. None of us want to think they just don’t care!
Or, maybe, like the seatbelt laws, workers just don’t like to comply and wear the equipment. Inconvenient? Uncomfortable?
NO survival story bragging rights is worth a slip-and-fall accident! Your life may be forever changed in a terrible way.
Here are some more cold, hard facts for you to chew on.
- The construction industry accounts for one in five fatal work accidents.
- OSHA lists construction falls as number one of the “FATAL FOUR”.
- Falls account for 38.8% of deaths by construction accidents.
These figures do not include the life-changing injuries that often occur in a slip-and-fall accident.
What if you suffer a spinal cord injury? Have you ever imagined your life in a wheelchair? I’ve seen what it’s like — up close and personal.
You need someone to dress, shower, and groom you.
You need someone to get you out of bed every morning and put you to bed each night. If you’re fortunate to have the use of your hands, you can operate your own wheelchair.
You probably need someone to drive you everywhere you need to go.
Someone else must cook and clean for you.
You may suffer extreme pain every single day of your life.
While you can certainly triumph over these circumstances, it’s a life no one picks out on purpose!
Good safety practices on the job ought to be part of living the Golden Rule.
We’ve come a long ways from the Industrial Revolution era when factory owners put children’s lives at risk daily in terrible, unsafe working conditions.
Sadly, some construction companies still do not use or enforce the use of simple, standard safety equipment!
Providing and enforcing the use of safety equipment on the job is in your company’s best interest in the long run.
- Saves a company’s good reputation.
- Avoids lawsuits and workers’ compensation pay-outs.
- Builds a positive company culture.
- Helps prevent expensive worker turnover.
You should not be afraid to speak up if your construction company does not provide safety equipment needed to prevent or catch you during a slip-and-fall accident.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a construction accident due to a lack of safety equipment, you need to call an experienced slip-and-fall lawyer today. The Law Offices of Nathan A. Steimel, LLC will give you a free, initial consultation. http://steimel-law.com/workers-comp.html
Call Attorney Steimel today at (636)244-3737.
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