What is the number one construction hazard? Lack of fall protection is the number one construction hazard. Construction sites are inherently dangerous, but when safety protocols fail, bystanders can suffer catastrophic injuries.
After a construction site accident, it can be stressful to know what to do next. If you have been injured on a construction site, you may be entitled to damages. A Las Vegas construction accident lawyer can work with you to build your case to get you the compensation you deserve.
What is Fall Protection?
Fall protection can be defined as systems and practices designed to prevent people from falling from an elevated surface. Without proper protection, you are at a much greater risk of being injured in the event you slip and fall from a high elevation. There are two major types of protection.
Prevention Systems
Prevention systems include guardrails, signs, hole covers, barriers, and other blockades that would prevent you from walking off a ledge or entering a dangerous area.
Restraint Systems
The most common restraint system would be a harness and tether, or a similar device, that is set to a specific length to prevent equipment or heavy machinery from veering too close to the edge and falling on a passerby.
Each system is used in different situations and serves its own purpose. If you are working on an elevated surface and do not have the proper protection, a fall can be catastrophic, making a lack of fall protection the number one construction hazard.
Why Does Fall Prevention Matter?
As the number one hazard on a construction site, fall prevention is pivotal in ensuring that all people in a designated construction zone are safe, protected, and cared for. Fall protection continues to lead the top 10 list of most frequently cited violations on construction sites.
Some examples of this construction hazard may include the following scenarios:
- Machinery or equipment falling from a height onto a walkway
- A hole in the upper-level flooring that is not adequately covered or lacks warning signs
- Stairs under construction or repairs that are not properly marked as hazardous or do not include temporary safety guards
Falls can also lead to lifelong disabilities, including paralysis, loss of limb, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. If you have lost a loved one as a result of a construction site accident, a Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer can review your case and advise you on what to do next.
Where Falls Commonly Occur in Las Vegas
Any place in a construction zone where you are working up high is a risk for a fall. Slips and falls are a part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fatal four list, with falls from a high elevation being at the top of the list. The most common areas for people to be hurt in a construction zone are:
- Walkways, sidewalks, and hallways
- Beneath scaffolding or temporary steel structures
- Open-sided floors or unprotected edges
- Improperly covered floor openings for properties under renovations
It is essential to stay vigilant everywhere on a construction site, but it is crucial that the construction company or contractors have taken all the necessary precautions to keep visitors safe. If they do not, they could be liable for any injuries sustained in a fall.
Who is Liable in a Construction Fall Accident?
Knowing who is liable for your accident is key to building your case. Nevada follows a modified comparative negligence law (NRS 41.141). This means that if you are found to be less than 51% responsible, you are still able to recover damages, but they will be reduced by the percentage of your responsibility.
Oftentimes, liability falls onto the construction company if it is shown that they did not provide the proper training, equipment, and supervision needed to provide a safe environment. Other responsible parties can include property owners, equipment manufacturers, and subcontractors if they do not follow safety protocols.
Liability can be complex, particularly if there are multiple parties who may be at fault. If you have been injured, having a Las Vegas premises liability lawyer fight on your behalf means having an experienced attorney who understands how to get you the most compensation for your injuries.
Prevent Falls Before They Can Occur
Understanding that the lack of proper fall protection is the main hazard on construction sites, we know that prevention is key to avoiding a potentially catastrophic event. Some potential ways a construction company and its contractors can prevent these accidents before they occur are:
- Performing regular job hazard analyses (JHAs)
- Providing hands-on fall protection training for all workers
- Inspect equipment daily
- Follow all company policies as set forth by the safety team
- Regularly review safety information from manufacturing companies
- Follow all federal, state, and local laws and regulations when it comes to safety
- Ensure proper supervision and enforcement of safety policies.
Falls that cause devastating injuries or loss of life can be prevented. Ensuring that all safety equipment is up to standard, workers are adequately trained, and having a proactive approach to safety can mean the difference between a passerby or visitor making it home safely or not.
H&P Law Will Fight to Get You the Compensation You Deserve
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in a construction zone, you deserve a team of lawyers that will fight for you to get the full damages you deserve.
At H&P Law, we understand the hardship that an injury like this can cause, and we’re here to fight for you. We are here to do the heavy lifting so you can focus on recovering and taking care of yourself. Contact our team today.
