Working in construction is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous professions. In fact, one in ten construction workers is injured each year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). While each season brings certain risks for outdoor workers, spring is a particularly dangerous time to do construction due to hard-to-predict temperatures and rainstorms. In an effort to help you avoid accidents and injuries if you’re working on a construction site this spring, our Bucks County workers compensation attorney would like to cover a few essential safety best practices:
- Be smart and cautious when working at a height – When using scaffolds, ladders or any other type of equipment that requires you to be off the ground for a job, keep in mind that you are exposing yourself to a serious fall risk. To minimize your chances of falling and hurting yourself, be vigilant about using equipment in a safe manner and checking that it is in good condition before getting to work. Prior to climbing on a scaffold, confirm with your supervisor that it is complete and has been inspected for strength and stability. And to ensure your safety when using a ladder, always double-check that everything is properly fastened, and never place a ladder on a muddy, wet or uneven surface.
- Always wear a properly fitting hard hat when the job calls for it – If there is any chance at all that you could be struck in the head while working in a certain area, it is critically important that you wear a hard hat to protect your head. Make sure the hat fits well (it should be snug, but not too tight), and replace it right away if you notice any cracks or other damage.
- Watch out for rain-related hazards – Keep in mind that even a light rain has the potential to make the ground and other working surfaces quite slippery. To avoid slips and falls when doing construction in rainy or wet conditions, our workers compensation attorney in Bucks County recommends wearing slip-resistant, waterproof boots and stepping carefully. Also be sure to wear a raincoat to keep yourself dry and protect against cold exposure. Furthermore, if you’re working with any type of wiring, you should put the job on pause until things dry up, as moisture increases the probability of electrical wires being live.
- Make sure there is a first aid kit nearby – Construction site supervisors are required to provide basic first aid supplies to their employees. Before starting a job, you should inquire about where the closest first aid kit is located. And if you get a cut, scrape or burn – even a minor one – while working, it’s important to stop what you’re doing and treat the injury immediately to reduce your risk of infection.
As a hardworking construction person, you owe it to yourself to prioritize your personal safety on the job by using these tips from our trusted Bucks County workers compensation lawyer.
When Construction Accidents Happen, the Heslin Law Firm Is Here
Even if you are highly attentive to construction site safety guidelines, your supervisor or other workers around you may not be as careful, thereby putting you at risk of getting hurt. In the event that another party’s negligence leads to you being injured at work, the Heslin Law Firm will be ready and willing to assist you in seeking the appropriate compensation. Recognized as the workers compensation attorney Bucks County can count on, Mr. Gary Heslin will meet with you to talk through what happened and come up with a plan of action to help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
If you’ve been injured on a construction site and you’d like to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a practiced Bucks County workers compensation attorney, call the Heslin Law Firm at (215) 332-0300. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have and provide the legal assistance that you need.