Construction workers in Wisconsin face inherent risks as part of the job. When there are accidents, workers’ compensation benefits can be critical for multiple reasons. Before and after accidents occur, it is important to know whether the workplace had the proper safety procedures in place. This may be a key part of workers’ compensation claims.
There are strategies to ensure a safe construction site. Before the job gets underway, there should be adequate preparation. This includes determining the tasks that must be completed and mitigating the potential dangers that accompany them. Communication, preventative steps, protective equipment and tools are fundamental aspects of safety. Since 1 in 3 construction deaths are due to falls, safety can be improved with scaffolds and by cordoning off areas prone to these accidents. Also, 29% of fatalities happen due to transportation accidents. This, too, should be addressed.
Between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. is when there is the highest number of deaths. Three-fourths of the fatal accidents occur from Monday to Thursday. Companies are advised to emphasize safety during these times and encourage workers to speak up about safety during meetings. Since many projects have a deadline, construction workers may be asked to perform beyond their limits. Being physically and mentally tired can lead to lapses, errors and carelessness. There is a 30% spike in accidents and injuries for workers on night shifts. Those who work 12 hours a day have a 37% higher chance of being injured. Employers forgetting about safety education is another mistake. Making sure workers have been educated through a 30-hour course given by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can be useful.
There are sometimes challenges with receiving workers’ compensation benefits or even after being approved. For example, an employer could dispute how injured a worker is, not provide retraining options or disagree about how long the worker should be off the job. In a workers’ compensation claim for a construction accident, a legal firm experienced in these cases may be able to provide guidance and advice.
