Workplace Safety for the Construction Industry in Pennsylvania
In the demanding realm of construction, workplace safety is a necessary priority. The construction industry often faces significant risks due to the nature of the work involved, ranging from heights and heavy machinery to hazardous materials. These risks underscore the critical importance of workers’ compensation, ensuring that employees are protected in the event of accidents or injuries on the job. In recent years, there has been a concerted effort to enhance safety protocols within the construction sector, aiming to mitigate risks and improve overall workplace conditions.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plays a vital role in protecting the safety of construction workers on the job. OSHA is a federal agency within the United States Department of Labor. Its primary mission is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for American workers by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, outreach, education, and compliance assistance. OSHA aims to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities through regulatory oversight and by promoting a culture of safety among employers and employees across various industries, including construction.
Recognizing Construction Site Hazards
Construction sites can be inherently hazardous environments where workers are exposed to various dangers that can lead to both fatal and nonfatal injuries.
Construction workers face a disproportionate number of fatal workplace injuries compared to other job sectors. In 2022 alone, construction workers experienced 1,056 fatal work-related injuries. OSHA identified four types of accidents that account for the greatest number of workplace fatalities among construction workers.
- Falls, slips, and trips were the most common fatal injuries. In 2022, fall injuries accounted for 423 of workplace deaths.
- Struck-by accidents, which involve objects such as debris or tools striking a worker, are the second most common injuries.
- Caught-in/between injuries, the third most common work-related injury, involve being trapped or stuck between two objects.
- Electrocution was the fourth most common fatal injury, which occurs when a person is exposed to a dangerous amount of electrical energy.
Construction workers are similarly at an increased risk of sustaining nonfatal work-related injuries. In a single year, workers in construction experienced 21,400 nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses. In 2020, the number of nonfatal falls, slips, and trips among construction workers was higher per 10,000 full-time workers than any other occupation.
Recognizing these risks, industry experts have collaborated to develop and implement stringent safety protocols that encompass a range of measures designed to promote a safer work environment.
(Data from: bls.gov)
Updates to Construction Worker Safety Protocols
OSHA sets standards and regulations that every construction company must follow. These standards include the hazard communication standard, which seeks to educate employers and employees on how to identify and protect themselves from potentially harmful chemicals in the workplace, and mandatory emergency action planning.
On July 20, 2023, OSHA published a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise its personal protective equipment (PPE) standard. The purpose of the revision is to “explicitly state that PPE must fit properly to protect workers from workplace hazards.” The current standard does not clearly state that PPE must fit each construction worker properly. The new standard would help protect workers from occupational hazards, as it would require PPE to be tailored to each worker’s unique body size and shape. For example, ill-fitting protective sleeves and gloves might make it difficult for workers to control equipment or use tools, while ill-fitting pants might pose a tripping risk. The proposed rule would mitigate these risks by explicitly requiring all PPE properly fit each employee. PPE includes hard hats, gloves, goggles, safety shoes, safety glasses, welding helmets and goggles, hearing protection devices, respirators, coveralls, vests, bodysuits, and harnesses.
On April 1, 2024, OSHA published a final rule outlining the rights of workers and employers to each authorize a representative to accompany an OSHA compliance officer during an inspection of the workplace. The rule allows efficiency in inspections, as a representative is knowledgeable about hazards and conditions in the workplace and can effectively communicate such knowledge to the officer.
Additionally, Building Information Modeling (BIM) has enabled project managers and engineers to simulate construction processes digitally before actual implementation. This technology allows for the identification and rectification of safety hazards in the planning stages, significantly reducing risks and maximizing efficiency during the construction phase.
Implementing new safety protocols within the construction industry represents a significant step forward in ensuring the well-being of workers and enhancing workplace safety. Through advancements in technology, rigorous regulatory compliance, and comprehensive training programs, construction companies are better equipped to mitigate risks and prevent accidents on the job.
Workers’ Compensation Following a Workplace Injury
The protocols discussed are designed to promote a safer work environment, but accidents can still happen. If you are injured on the job, workers’ compensation laws ensure that employees are entitled to financial compensation and medical benefits in the event of work-related injuries or illnesses. Contact the attorneys at Stern & Cohen to get started on your claim today.