Construction sites can be extremely hazardous work environments. The Health and Safety Executive reported that last year there were 69,000 cases of construction site work related illness and 65,000 construction workers suffered a non-fatal injury. Building, construction and demolition sites are often very busy and can be extremely noisy due to the sounds of heavy machinery, drilling and hammering.
Due to the dangers associated with this industry, employers are expected to meet a high standard of care for their employees, and there are strict regulations in place. If an employer fails to meet this standard of care and their employee suffers a construction site accident as a result of their negligence, the employer may be found liable for the damage caused to the employee. A personal injury claim needs to be made within three years of the injury so contact us today.
When someone suffers a serious injury that is not their fault, they commonly wonder “how much compensation can I claim?”. You can read about compensation guidelines here.
Construction Site Slips, Trips and Falls
A fall can happen anywhere, but a building site will often have more hazards than the usual workplace. There may be building materials such as bricks, slabs and scaffolding poles. If materials are not safely tidied away, they could cause someone to trip and fall over them. Construction sites are often muddy and the rain can create slippery conditions.
Construction site workers are often required to use ladders or climb scaffolding and work at height. If this equipment is defective or improperly assembled, a serious accident could occur. A fall from height could result in bone breakages, head injuries and even fatalities.
When construction employees are working at height, there will often be other workers on the ground level. If building materials, equipment or a part of the scaffolding were to fall on to the employees below, they could be severely injured.
Construction employers have a responsibility to prevent such injuries from occurring.
Heavy Lifting and Handling Injuries
The nature of construction work makes it necessary for construction workers to lift heavy building materials such as bags of cement and planks of wood. Workers must be trained to properly lift heavy items to protect themselves from back, arm and shoulder injuries.
Construction Site Diseases
Construction sites can be dusty and dirty working environments. There can be dust from wood being sawed, insulation materials being laid, bags of cement being opened and parts of a building being demolished. These conditions put construction workers at particular risk of developing certain industrial diseases.
Asbestos was a standard insulating material in construction, electronics and boiler making. Exposure to asbestos can result in a host of serious conditions, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, pleural plaques and more.
Inhaling dust containing chemicals such as chromium can cause chromium poisoning and can lead to long-term breathing and skin problems.
For this reason, construction workers must be provided with safety goggles, safety clothing and breathing masks if they are working in dusty conditions.
If an employer fails to put these safety practices in place, they may be liable for the damage caused.
Machinery Injuries
Construction workers routinely use machines such as saws, cement mixers, drills and chisels. There is often heavy machinery such as cranes, demolition equipment and lorries involved in a construction site. This machinery must be well maintained, serviced and in good working order. Employees using this equipment must be trained to do so safely.
How Do I Make a Claim?
If you are a construction site worker who has suffered an injury as a result of your employer’s negligence, you may be able to make a claim against them. You should report the incident to the site manager and ensure that all details are recorded in the accident report book. Take a note of any witnesses to the incident. Photographs of the unsafe conditions, broken equipment or defective machinery could help to establish who is culpable for the injury.
You should seek medical attention for your injuries so that the information can be added to your medical records.
The compensation claim you can make will depend on factors such as the severity of the injury you received, the recovery time and any connected long-term consequences of the accident.
Contact Glasgow Personal Injury Claim Lawyers
We are a dedicated team of personal injury specialists. We respond to enquiries quickly and treat each enquiry with confidentiality. Contact our expert lawyers today to find out how much you may be able to claim and how we can help you get maximum compensation.
The first step on your road to recovery awaits. All you need to do is give us a call on 0141 413 4377 or contact us online by completing our claim form. We operate on a no win no fee* basis.
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