Construction Safety Regulations & the U.S. Workforce

Going to work can sometimes be the most dangerous thing a person can do, especially when they have a high risk job in construction. Many of us don’t have to take our lives and personal well being into account while on the job, but there are numerous occupations out there that require a certain amount of watchfulness and attention. From construction site falls to gas explosions, thousands of construction workers suffer from severe injuries and even death within any given year.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2007, some form of negligence resulted in 1,239 construction deaths. Although construction workers comprise only 8 percent of the total U.S. workforce, construction deaths account for more than 22% of all work-related deaths.

Recently, New York and Las Vegas have caught the attention of the media with infamous construction and crane incidents. In New York, two construction cranes collapsed and killed nine people and one bystander. The concern over quality of safety has been said to be steadily improving but with such an increase in deaths, something needs to be done quickly. According to the U.S. Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), certain safety standards have not been updated since 1971.

However, the blame cannot always fall on any single institution. Some employers consciously operate unsafe workplaces. Employers can benefit when they cut corners or ‘overlook’ things because profit is more important than workers’ safety. In other instances, employers could be fined for not following proper safety procedures but many times fines are later reduced or eliminated. In 2008, there was an incident in which a crane operator was charged with bribing an inspector to falsify inspection reports and licenses.

These kinds of negligent acts increase the chance of construction incidents. Many feel that OSHA needs to enforce a new set of safety regulations for the construction workforce. Most states do not have the same safety regulations and some are weaker than others. Additionally, a majority of workers’ compensation does not provide support for medical bills or lost wages following an on-the-job injury. For example, construction sites around the Forth Worth area have experienced thousands of injuries within the past year alone and many of the workers involved were likely not fully compensated. In regards to the current safety regulations, it is important to know that there are lawyers that can help if you feel you are not being properly compensated.

For cases in the Fort Worth area, Fort Worth construction accident lawyers have intimate knowledge of state and federal regulations, and laws providing rights to workers and their families. Construction mishaps involving: structure failure, building collapse, supervisor negligence, crane accidents, welding accidents and others can negatively impact your life when disaster could have been averted. Until there are improvements in construction safety regulations, keep a lawyer handy.