Suffering From An injury or fall while at work
Accidents on Construction Sites
Construction sites can put you in
danger Being a place of work
How can injuries happen at a construction site?
Injuries to workers can happen in a number of ways: falling from height, falling objects, electrocution, faulty equipment, defective scaffolding, falling down a hole etc
Whose negligence can it be?
It may be that your employer has been negligent, and you have suffered an injury as a result of this, or it may be another party that has been negligent. Different organisations perform different roles at construction sites and sometimes the negligent party may be the one that had the overall responsibility and control of the situation.
Alternatively, it might be an independent contractor that has been negligent.
Sometimes, it is necessary to make a claim against more than one party as often, they blame each other
Your Health and Safety is important
Employers have a Duty of Care
Regardless of who is to blame, there are common factors that are relevant. These include:
- The need for a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to have been conducted, so measures can be taken to ensure health and safety of workers.
- An ongoing duty throughout the duration of the work to plan, control, monitor and review safety systems, and if necessary, adapt them where needed.
- To maintain the site and all equipment in efficient working order and in good repair.
- To ensure that all work equipment is actually suitable for its intended use.
- To ensure that people using work equipment are properly trained in its use and also trained in all safety procedures whilst on site.
- To ensure that all manner of work and working at the site is specifically set out by way of written documentation, identifying all possible issues that might arise and which parties have responsibility for matters.
- To ensure that people have sufficient and safe working space within which to perform their duties.
- To ensure that all work is properly supervised.
- To prevent unauthorised access to dangerous areas.
- To provide protective equipment where needed, e.g. hard hats, harnesses, safety boots
If you have suffered an injury whilst working at a construction site, you may be able to claim compensation.
Employers have a duty to protect the health and safety of employees at work.
This includes carrying out risk assessments, providing ongoing training and keeping the workplace free from danger.
The role of the employee itself needs to be considered and the tasks an employee is required to perform must be risk assessed, so that the safest practical way of performing the role is identified, having taken into account the risks of injury that might arise and its seriousness.
Sadly, however, accidents at work and sometimes with serious consequences for the injured person and their family.
Accidents can also happen as the result of co-workers using machinery. For example, turning a machine on whilst another employee is cleaning it, or when an employee is required to use machinery or be in close contact with animals, without having had proper training.