The owners of construction companies in Missouri have an immense responsibility to ensuring the safety of their workers. Due to the many different potential hazards present on construction sites, every aspect must be covered in regular safety training, and workers should be informed of all potential dangerous situations. One of the hazards that could cause instant death or severe injuries is electricity, and an electrical accident often occurs when a worker accidentally touches a live electrical wire. Another type of construction accident that claims many victims is collapsing scaffolding.
Two separate construction accidents that occurred in another state earlier this year resulted in fines issued by federal regulators. The first instance involved a construction worker who used a trowl with an extended steel handle when he was working on the roof of an apartment complex. The handle accidentally made contact with a power cable, and the electrical shock caused the worker to suffer a heart attack. Emergency crews managed to save his life by using a defibrillator. The burn injuries that the worker suffered on his toes and fingers require regular trips to a medical center for ongoing treatment.
Falls from heights are likely the most common construction accidents to occur. In a second accident in the same city, a construction worker fell from a height of about 30 feet when the scaffolding at a bridge construction collapsed. The worker suffered serious injuries and was taken to a medical center for treatment.
Workers who are fortunate enough not to lose their lives in construction accidents may have to undergo extended periods of rehabilitation after suffering severe injuries. This will inevitably bring about high medical costs and loss of income that can negatively affect the victim’s financial welfare. Fortunately, most Missouri workers are covered by the workers’ compensation insurance fund. Eligible members are free to claim benefits from the fund and are likely to be compensated for medical expenses, along with a percentage of lost wages.
Source: 5newsonline.com, “Companies Fined More Than $10,000 After Workers Hospitalized In Fayetteville“, Shain Bergan, Aug. 4, 2014