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Construction workers in Kentucky face a possibility of accidental injury or death every day.
Three common dangers are falls, electrocutions and motor vehicle accidents.
Following are three real-life examples:
Two Workers Injured in Plunge from Roof in Carver
A man was working on the roof of a building at Carver Community Center on August 12 when he lost his footing and slipped, according to WTVQ-TV.
As he was sliding off the roof, he apparently managed to seize a section of shingling or other roofing material. He dangled 25 feet off the ground while a group of co-workers rushed to the scene. He lost his grip and plunged downward, landing on another worker attempting to break the fall.
Both workers were injured. They were taken to the University of Kentucky hospital for treatment.
Power Line Worker Burned in Franklin
A construction worker was badly burned in August when he became tangled in power lines while working in a cherry picker, according to WBKO-TV. Co-workers on the ground saw that he was in distress and could not get him to respond. A group of them worked together to extricate him.
He suffered burns on his body but was conscious as he was taken to the hospital. The incident – which occurred in downtown Franklin – caused power outages in the area for more than one hour.
Road Painter Hit by Car in Lexington
A woman who was painting stripes on a road in Lexington was injured in July by a hit-and-run driver. The accident occurred late at night on Nicholasville Road, Lex 18 News reports. The force of the collision threw the worker to the ground. She suffered injuries to her back and head. The automobile that struck her sustained damage to its front end but kept going and did not stop.
Falls Top the List of Construction Site Dangers
Falls are the leading cause of death to construction workers, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
A total of 264 men and women were killed in falls at construction sites in 2010, the most recent year statistics are available. This accounts for more than one-third of the 774 construction deaths that year.
Falls can occur in different ways. Here are some:
- Falls from roofs
- Falls from ladders
- Falls from scaffolding
- Falls from cranes
- Falls from one level to a lower level
- Falls from high beams
- Falls from stairs
- Falls on wet or slippery surfaces
- Falls on debris or uneven walkways
Fatal Four in Construction Accidents
Falls are one of the “Fatal Four” causes of construction worker deaths, according to OSHA. The Fatal Four account for three out of five construction site fatalities.
The Fatal Four are:
- Falls (35 percent)
- Struck by object (10 percent)
- Electrocutions (9 percent)
- Caught in/between object (2 percent)
Construction workers who are injured on the job are usually entitled to workers compensation benefits in Kentucky.