A site collapse at a Pennsylvania construction site in late August resulted in the death of a 30-year old man. According to a construction accident lawyer Philadelphia trusts, the man’s body was found in the rubble at the Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls plant in Franklin County. The man worked for the general contractor at the site, Wohlsen Construction. According to dispatchers, three large sections of concrete collapsed, burying the man. The Pennsylvania State Police and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are investigating the incident. A construction accident lawyer Philadelphia depends on for workplace injuries recognizes that employer negligence is frequently a factor in workplace injuries and deaths, especially in the construction industry. This article will explore common worksite OSHA violations that can result in injuries, construction accident injuries, and what to do if you have been injured in a construction accident.
Frequently Cited Standards in OSHA Violations
OSHA publishes a list of frequently cited standards to aide employers to identify and recognize hazards and keep their employees safe. However, not all employers take the necessary steps to address hazards and preventable injuries, illnesses, and deaths can occur from employer negligence at a construction worksite.
During the period between October 2021 – September 2022, OSHA conducted 6,687 inspections in the construction industry and cited 16,387 citations. This resulted in over $67 million dollars in penalties for employers found to be out of compliance with federally mandated standards for employee safety. The Specialty Trade Contractors subsector, which typically includes often entities subcontracted from general contractors or builders to perform remodeling and repairs, were fined most heavily at $56.5 million.
The Top Cited Standards for Construction in 2021 Are:
- Duty to Have Fall Protection – 29 CFR 1926.501 – This standard requires employers to identify hazards and provide protections from those hazards as needed. Requirements include inspecting worksites for hazards from falling objects or fall hazards.
- Ladders – 29 CFR 1926.1053 – This OSHA standard for self-supporting ladders, extension ladders, and fixed ladders includes specifications that ladders must meet, ladder inspection requirements and employee training requirements.
- General Scaffolding Requirements – 29 CFR 1926.451 – These OSHA requirements for supported scaffold platforms, fall arrest systems, and suspended scaffolding provide specifications for erecting and dismantling, inspections, and training. A construction accident lawyer Philadelphia trusts has litigated cases in which employees were severely injured when these standards were not followed.
- Fall Protection Training Requirements – 29 CFR 1926.503 – This standard provide requirements to train employees on fall hazards and certification and retraining standards.
- Eye and Face Protection – 29 CFR 1926.102 – This standard provides requirements for eye and face protection such as safety googles and face shields. Employers are required to identify hazards and ensure employees are provided with and use appropriate protection.
- Head Protection – 29 CFR 1926.100 – Standards for head protection refer to the use of hard hats, including head protection specification for different work environments.
- General Safety and Health Provisions – 29 CFR 1926.20 – This standard requires employers to provide a safe work environment. Employers are required to identify compliance and accident prevention responsibilities.
- Aerial Lifts – 29 CFR 1926.453 – These standards pertain to vehicle-mounted boom lifts, boom platforms, ladder trucks and tower trucks. The standards include requirements regarding proper operation, inspection, and training. A construction accident lawyer Philadelphia depends on recognizes that heavy equipment operation requires strict adherence to standards to prevent serious injury.
- Specific Excavation Requirements – 29 CFR 1926.651 – These OSHA standards provide requirements for emergency response, installations of access/egress, atmospheric monitoring, and protection from falling materials.
- Hazard Communication – 29 CFR 1910.1200 – This standard refers to classification and labeling of chemicals and the requirements for developing a hazard communication program including recordkeeping, labeling, and training.
Common Construction Injuries
Philadelphia workers compensation lawyers understand the significant risks to construction workers. These risks are increased when employers act negligently and don’t follow regulations for workplace safety. Common injuries in construction accidents include:
- Fall injuries, such as fractures, paralysis, or traumatic brain injuries
- Struck by falling object
- Equipment related accidents, such as lacerations, punctures, or amputations
- Crush injuries from large vehicles or equipment
- Burn injuries from fires and explosions
- Injuries from building collapses
- Repetitive Motion Injuries, such as carpal tunnel injuries or back injuries
- Weather related illnesses, such as heat stroke, hyperthermia, or frostbite
- Lead exposure
- Respiratory diseases from asbestos, black lung and silicosis
- Toxic chemical injuries
- Wrongful death
What Should I Do If I Was Injured on a Construction Site?
Contact a construction accident lawyer Philadelphia counts on to help pursue a claim. Consult with the lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm, LLC to understand and protect your legal right to compensation. The Philadelphia workers compensation lawyers at the Wieand Law Firm offer a free consultation to understand your unique situation and discuss the legal options for you to consider. Call 215-666-7777 or send a message through the online form to speak directly with an attorney.
