The construction field tends to have a relatively high injury and fatality rate. In terms of fatalities, there are predominant causes of death identified within the field.
The top four types of fatal accidents typically seen in the construction industry, referred to as the fatal four, account for over 60% of workplace deaths in construction. Here are the four accidents categorized as the fatal four.
Falls
Falls represent the highest amount of fatalities in construction. In 2019, falls made up approximately 37.9% of deaths. Of note, a majority of these fatal falls were from a low height.
Electrocution
Construction workers are around live wires, power lines and other electrical sources. This situation creates a high risk of workplace fatality caused by electrocution.
Struck by object
Workers are generally at risk of a falling, swinging, flying or rolling object striking them. An added danger associated with the nature of this accident is that people in the area who are not involved in the actual work are at risk of death.
Caught between or in an object
A construction worker caught between an object is typically pinned or compressed by single or multiple structures or equipment. These types of fatalities are usually associated with a death caused by crushing instead of striking.
Though there are ongoing efforts to prevent these four types of fatalities, they remain a high risk to workers in the construction field. It is essential that proper training and adequate amounts of safety equipment are available on-site to help decrease these kinds of deaths.
