There are a variety of ways in which construction workers suffers accidents. Some of the more common involve:
- Falls from scaffolding or ladders, falls through weak flooring or roofs
- Accidents involving machinery like cranes, dumpers, truck lifts and diggers
- Falling objects that hit workers or collapsing structures
- Improper training or risk assessments
- Dangerous obstructions or unmarked hazards
- Lack or improper personal protective equipment
There are a number of people who owe you a duty of care whilst working as a construction site worker. These may be an employer, a contractor, the occupier and other building site workers. In order to reduce construction site injuries there are strong regulations in place that should be adhered to. These regulations should offer a construction worker peace of mind that their safety is being taken seriously at all times. These safety measures should include safe access to their work location on the site, sufficient measures to help avoid falling from a height or the risk of being hit by falling objects or debris and proper security of the site. You should also be provided with somewhere to store your gear, a toilet, a sink and somewhere reasonable in order to eat.
In order to further reduce building site injuries you should be provided with the correct and proper personal protective equipment which may include safety clothing, matting, shoes and hard hats. Unfortunately building site accident claims are very common due to these basic safety measures not being properly put in place at all times.
Training is also a very important part of safety on a construction or building site. All employees should have an induction course before they start work, be trained on how to lift heavy objects safely, and trained in using any equipment which may be used in their line of work. Any equipment or machinery necessary to complete a task should be well maintained and in a safe condition. If you have not received the appropriate training or used faulty/dangerous equipment and were injured then a building site injury claim may be possible.
On tasks that building site workers are expected to perform a risk assessment should be carried out with safe working methods and processes in writing and communicated to all the required persons or bodies on site. These will need to be updated as work progresses. If risk assessments are not in place and an employee is injured as a result, a construction site injury claim may be possible.
Any construction or building site should be kept as safe and tidy as possible. Obstruction or hazards should be removed or highly visible. Any doors or gates should not be obstructed.
Following any construction or building site accident you should report the accident to your employer straight away and make sure an accident report form is filled in or that the accident is recorded into an accident book. You should record any witnesses to the accident as well as any poor working practices that you feel may have caused or contributed towards your accident and injury. In order to pursue building injury compensation your injuries will need to be diagnosed and on medical records.
Whatever caused you to suffer an accident whilst working on a construction site, as long as your employer has failed to comply with any with any of the above safety measures, you may be able to make a building site injury compensation claim or a construction site injury claim.
There are strict time limits in place when making a building site accident claim and the sooner you start the process the easier it normally is to prove and win the claim.
So if you have suffered an injury from a fracture/broken bone to bruising or soft tissue damage, illness or disease as result of working on a building or construction site, due to your employers lack of health and safety, speak to our fully trained advisors who will discuss your accident circumstances with you and advise you accordingly.
Remember that the Accident Advice Bureau are experts in claiming for building site injury compensation. We will talk to you in plain English without the use of any jargon. There are no costs to you in making a claim for a building site accident, we will achieve maximum compensation for you and your claim will be hassle free and dealt with as quickly as possible. Please call us today, request us to call you or claim online.
