What are the Top Workplace Hazards?

Each year, over a hundred thousand people are injured by workplace accidents in Texas. Although statistics help us understand the nature of these accidents, they often fail to stop them. Learning about the top workplace hazards is only useful if employers take decisive steps to prevent these accidents in the future. Too often, warnings from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other regulatory agencies fall on deaf ears – and workers pay the price.

If you were injured in a Texas workplace accident, there is a high chance you experienced one of these hazards. To learn more about your legal options, call us today for a free and confidential evaluation at (972) 529-3476.

Slips, Trips, and Falls

According to OSHA, falls represent the top hazard for American workers. Slips, trips, and falls take the top spot in OSHA’s “Fatal Four,” causing more deaths than any other type of accident in the United States. Falls may occur in a number of different ways, with various outcomes. Some may cause relatively minor injuries, while others claim lives.

Even a minor slip can have fatal consequences. For example, someone working in a kitchen might slip on a spill – causing them to fall backward and hit their head. The resulting traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause permanent disability or death. An office worker might also trip on an exposed cable, causing them to fracture their hip. Hip fractures can prove especially problematic for elderly workers, as these individuals are vulnerable to infections. If a hip fracture becomes infected, the consequences can easily prove fatal.

Perhaps the most high-profile falls occur when construction workers tumble from heights. In these accidents, workers may fall multiple stories before impacting the ground – and the consequences are almost always fatal. Often, these accidents occur because employers fail to provide workers with sufficient fall protection – such as harnesses and railings. In other cases, workers are provided with fall protection gear but lack the training to safely use it.

Struck By Objects

A “struck-by” accident represents the second-leading cause of fatal workplace accidents, according to OSHA. As the name suggests, this involves workers being struck by falling or moving objects – including vehicles, heavy equipment, or building materials. These accidents are incredibly varied, and they may include “caught-in” or “caught-between” accidents.

Anyone who works in close proximity to moving machinery is vulnerable to these types of accidents. For example, a construction laborer might be struck by a reversing excavator on a building site. A factory worker might be struck or caught by moving machinery. A worker might also be struck by falling objects. All of these accidents have the potential to be fatal, and many lead to permanent disabilities. OSHA states that 75% of “struck-by” fatalities involve heavy equipment like trucks.

Another example of a “struck-by” accident is a collapsing wall. This might be a masonry wall or a trench wall. Trench workers are especially vulnerable to a wide range of accidents in Texas, and cave-ins are relatively common.

After being struck by an object, a worker might face a range of urgent hazards – even if they survive the initial impact. For example, a worker might struggle to breathe after being crushed against a wall by a wayward forklift. They might also face crushing injuries to various limbs. Often, this leads to permanent disability and potential disfigurement.

Caught-In/Between

Caught-In/Between injuries and accidents are among the Fatal Four hazards identified by the OSHA in the construction industry. These incidents occur when a worker becomes caught between objects in some way in which they are injured due to:

• Machines with moving parts that don’t have proper guards or aren’t turned off during repairs
• Open holes or trenches without proper protection
• Large machines that can tip over or fall
• Walls that can fall during demolition work
• Being stuck between moving objects and fixed structures, vehicles, or equipment

To prevent caught-in/between injuries and accidents, employers must ensure that all machinery and equipment are properly guarded and maintained. Workers should be trained on the safe operation of equipment and the importance of avoiding loose clothing, jewelry, or long hair that could get caught in machinery. Additionally, employers should implement a lockout/tagout program to prevent accidental start-up of machinery during maintenance or repair. By adhering to OSHA standards and best practices, construction companies can significantly reduce the risk of these life-threatening incidents and create a safer work environment for their employees.

Electrocution

Electrocution is the third leading cause of fatal accidents according to OSHA’s “Fatal Four” list. Virtually any worker faces electrical hazards, including office employees, retail workers, restaurant workers, and many others. That being said, construction workers face heightened electrocution threats – especially electricians and power line workers.

Electrocution often proves fatal. Those who manage to survive face horrific, permanent injuries – including serious burns and lasting disfigurements. Sometimes, electrocutions are caused by safety violations, defective equipment, and other concerns.

Find a Qualified Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Irving, TX

If you have been looking for a workers’ compensation attorney in Irving, look no further than the David Sanchez Law Group, PLLC. Becoming aware of the top workplace hazards in Texas is only the first step – and researching statistics cannot provide you with compensation. To take decisive action, you need to progress past online research and file a workers’ compensation claim. With our help, you can pursue compensation for missed wages and medical expenses. If you have lost a loved one to a fatal workplace accident in Texas, we can also help you pursue death benefits and compensation for funeral expenses. Call for your free consultation today at (972) 529-3476 to discuss your legal options in more detail.