Over 9 million construction workers build and maintain roads, houses, workplaces, and physical infrastructure. This work includes many inherently hazardous tasks and conditions such as work at heights, excavations, noise, dust, power tools and equipment, confined spaces, and electricity. Construction accounts for only a small percentage of U.S. workers, but it typically accounts for a substantial percentage of the fatalities.
Safety Issues
There are numerous hazards that construction workers face. Some of the more common ones are highlighted below:
- Falls consistently account for the greatest number of fatalities in the construction industry. If you have employees who work six or more feet above a lower level, you must provide fall protection.
- Working on and around stairways and ladders can be hazardous. Stairways and ladders are major sources of injuries and fatalities among construction workers.
- Scaffolding hazards consistently rank high on the list of the most frequently cited standards in the construction industry. Scaffold-related fatalities account for a significant number of fatalities in the construction workplace.
- Electrical - Most all construction employers must consider the hazards associated with electricity (i.e., electric shock, electrocution, fires, and explosions).
- Trenching and excavation are among the most hazardous construction operations, where workers can be crushed by collapsing walls if not protected.
- Motor vehicle safety/highway work zones pose serious hazards for many construction workers.
- Ergonomics is another major concern. Construction workers perform tasks that range from carrying heavy loads to performing repetitive tasks, placing them at risk of serious injury. The physically demanding nature of this work helps to explain why injuries, such as strains, sprains, and work-related musculoskeletal disorders, are so prevalent and are the most common injury resulting in days away from work.
In addition, most construction jobsites involve multiple employers (e.g., general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, etc.). So, this is another area that must be addressed in order to maximize worker safety.
Environmental Concerns
The construction sector is affected by a number of major environmental statutes and regulations. However, the nature and scope of activities can vary across facilities in a sector. This is especially true for the construction industry, which involves a broad range of activities and materials.
For this sector, EPA regulations cover:
- Water effluent guidelines and storm water discharge permits,
- Wetlands dredge and fill discharge permits,
- Hazardous chemical and oil spill planning and reporting requirements,
- Solid and hazardous waste management,
- Hazardous waste cleanup and brownfields redevelopment,
- Asbestos releases,
- Lead renovation, repair, and painting requirements, and
- Air pollution standards and voluntary programs for mobile and stationary sources and requirements for state transportation plans to conform with air quality plans.