Construction workers play an important role, yet face numerous risks on a deadly basis. The risk of fatal and not fatal traumatic brain injuries continues to be a clear and present danger. Out of all the industries in the United States, traumatic brain injuries are most likely to occur during construction work.
From 2003 to 2010, 2,210 construction workers lost their lives after suffering a traumatic brain injury, accounting for 25 percent of work-related deaths in the industry.
Common catastrophes that end careers and potentially lives
Even with a stronger focus on safety and protection, the day-to-day routine of construction workers means that they will face significant risks of TBI and other injuries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently revealed the top four daily hazards these workers face.
Everyone stumbles from time to time. However, when construction workers are plying their trades at significant heights, the simplest stumble can be career-threatening, if not life-ending. Whether the accident involves improper ladder use, uneven surfaces, or a lack of guardrails, the outcome is still the same and extremely tragic for workers and their family members.
Dangers on the ground
Conversely, being on the ground is not the safest place to be. Inclement weather can create slippery surfaces from falling snow and rain. Too much debris on the site or open holes can also carry catastrophic outcomes that come with a traumatic brain injury.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that falls, slips, and trips were first in fatalities in the construction field, with 37.9 percent of all work-related deaths from 2015 to 2019. Higher safety standards by construction companies can make a difference in protecting their respective workforces.
