The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says 6.5 million workers are employed in the U.S. construction industry. Regardless of the size of the company, all construction workers are exposed to the same hazards. Along with medical expenses brought about by workplace injuries, victims also have to deal with lost wages. However, Colorado workers could improve their chances of staying safe by taking a few precautions rather than relying entirely on their employers to protect them.
Wearing all the necessary personal protective equipment is a good start. PPE includes hard hats, face shields or safety goggles, protective gloves, safety boots and fall protection when needed. Attending all safety training sessions can help to keep workers up to date on hazard recognition and prevention. It can also teach them the safe operation of new equipment. Frequent training can also help to avoid complacency in workers with many years of experience.
The most significant construction hazard is a fall accident, and learning how to prevent one can go a long way to avoid fall-related injuries. Ladders and scaffolds must always be carefully inspected to identify potential risks such as bent, broken, rusted or otherwise structurally damaged parts. Observing safety regulations when working at heights include the proper use of fall arrest systems, and staying alert to avoid human error is essential.
Construction workers in Colorado who have to cope with lost wages despite their best efforts to avoid construction accidents may find comfort in knowing that they are likely entitled to financial assistance. They may seek workers’ compensation benefits regardless of who was at fault in an accident. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can assist throughout the legal and administrative steps of the claims process and work toward securing maximum benefits to cover medical expenses and a wage-replacement package.
