Construction is a dangerous business.
Every day, construction workers risk their lives to make sure that the buildings we live and work in are safe.
From electricians to laborers, every type of construction worker faces different risks on the job. In this blog post, we will discuss some dangerous jobs found in this industry.
1. Roofing and High-Rise Work
Construction workers who work on roofs and high-rise buildings face a variety of dangers.
For example, falling from great heights can be deadly for even experienced construction workers. In fact, many roofers have been known to wear harnesses as safety measures in case they lose their balance while working at such heights.
Other risks include electrocution or being crushed by a piece of equipment. Falls are among the four leading causes of work-related deaths and are one of OSHA’s fatal four. along with falls from height.
2. Electricians & Power Systems Work
One of the most dangerous jobs in construction is being an electrician or working with power systems.
Electricians work directly with high voltage wires and can be injured if they come into contact with them while installing, repairing, or maintaining wiring systems for buildings.
Additionally, this job often requires workers to crawl through confined spaces like ductwork which increases their risk for breathing problems due to fume inhalation.
Recently there has also been increasing concern about injuries on projects involving renewable energy sources such as solar panels; some experts believe that more research should be conducted on how these types of projects affect worker safety.
Power line technicians repair electrical distribution lines that bring power to homes and businesses. Sometimes they work on high-tension lines that carry more than 230,000 volts of electricity.
This job is also considered dangerous because workers must maintain their balance while walking along the line or climbing up poles all while carrying tools (and sometimes heavy equipment).
3. Laborers
Construction laborers are responsible for doing a variety of tasks around the construction site such as digging ditches, removing debris from a building’s foundation after it has been demolished, moving materials with machinery like forklifts.
Labors have one of the most physically demanding jobs in this industry which means that even minor injuries can cause major problems for them.
Additionally, laborers often work with hazardous materials such as chemicals and sharp objects which increase the risk of getting injured or sick on the job.
4. Heavy Equipment Operators
Heavy equipment operators also face various dangers when operating machinery like forklifts and bulldozers around a construction site.
These vehicles can weigh several tons so it is very easy to lose control if there are any obstructions in their path; workers must be especially careful not to hit other people who might be working nearby.
Other risks include being crushed under heavy pieces of steel or wood that have become unstable due to weather conditions.
5. Demolition Operations
The average age of buildings in America has been steadily increasing since 1970 making demolition more common these days than ever before. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of workers on demolition sites.
Workers on demolition sites have to be especially careful because there is a risk of injury or fatality almost every step of the way.
Workplace fatalities and injuries are often due to falling materials like steel beams, bricks, and other loose pieces of building material that can fall unexpectedly without warning.
If not stored properly these items could become damaged which increases their chances of coming loose and causing an accident during transportation or storage.
Other risks include being crushed under heavy pieces of steel or wood that have become unstable due to weather conditions.
6. Concrete and Masonry Workers
Construction workers who work with concrete and masonry materials also face a variety of hazards on the job including dehydration, respiratory problems due to fine particles in cement dust, or injuries from handling heavy equipment that can cause damage to fingers and hands.
Additionally, these types of jobs often require construction workers to stand outside for extended periods which puts them at risk for sunburns as well as other skin conditions such as dermatitis.
When it comes right down to it; working around building material is just plain dangerous!
Masonry workers often have to work from scaffolds erected around the exterior of the building.
This can create a host of hazards that also include falling to the lower level, being electrocuted from power lines, and being struck by items falling from the erected scaffold.
7. Sewer Workers
Sewer line workers are at risk of being exposed to hazardous gases produced by decomposing organic materials.
Hydrogen Sulfide can be present in sewers and has the characteristic odor of rotten eggs.
Workers are exposed to this gas by crawling through low-oxygen underground tunnels or working in manholes where the air is free from oxygen, often with high concentrations of other gases, including methane.
These workers may also be exposed to hazardous materials if they work near storage tanks that hold sewage sludge or any other byproduct generated at wastewater treatment plants.
Exposure to these chemicals could result in respiratory illnesses as well as skin conditions such as dermatitis.
They also have to work in cramped spaces where they can easily become injured from falls or other slips and falls.
Sewer trench collapse is another hazard often faced by these workers that result in head injuries, broken bones, and death.
In addition to that, they have to work long hours under extremely hot or cold conditions which can be a health hazard as well.
Regardless of the work performed on a construction site, the risk of injury and accidents is commonplace.
Most if not all construction site accidents can be prevented by everyone following the proper safety precautions at all times. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case.
Sometimes workers can make mistakes which results in injuries for themselves or others around them.
A construction site is a dangerous place; so workers must receive all of the proper safety training before venturing onsite.