New Jersey construction workers face a high risk of injury on the job. Although construction companies typically have safety protocols in place, there are some specific construction industry jobs that will always be considered inherently dangerous.
The following construction jobs pose a high risk of injury:
- Demolition
- Freight hauling
- Heavy equipment operation
- Roofing
- Sewer and ductwork
Why these jobs are dangerous
Since demolition work by nature involves destroying buildings or objects, the chance of injury is quite high. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that in 2017, the second leading cause of construction industry deaths involved construction workers being hit by a flying object.
Catastrophic accidents on New Jersey’s highways are already common. Driving large vehicles or hauling heavy equipment subjects a construction worker to a high risk of an accident. Injuries from accidents involving large vehicles tend to be more serious.
Proper training and regular maintenance are absolutely essential for construction workers operating heavy equipment. The equipment used in construction work is heavy and powerful, and any injury is likely to be severe.
Your employer should not only provide you with thorough training on how to use any heavy equipment but the equipment should also be inspected regularly to ensure continued safety.
Building or repairing a roof involves working at great heights. Your employer must provide you with fall protection equipment and you should not continue working if other factors, such as high winds, increase your risk of a fall.
Sewers and ducts are small spaces filled with environmental hazards, which increase the chance of an accident. Employer education on any known dangerous substances, and how to survive if you become trapped, is vital.
You have options if you are injured
You may love your job as a construction worker. It allows you to be outside and not be stuck sitting behind a desk all day. Your employer has a legal duty to provide safe conditions and train you properly, to reduce the chance of injury or death.
If your employer’s negligence results in a construction accident, you may face high medical costs and lost time from work. You may be afraid to go back to the job you once loved. Personal injury attorneys understand how to prove negligence and help you receive compensation.
