Fall through accidents are some of the most dangerous and frequenly-occurring accidents at construction work zones. Due to the frequency and severity of these injuries, it is important that site managers take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their workers.
The majority of fall through accidents occur when a construction worker falls through an existing opening in the floor or roof that he is working on. Many of these openings are created by stairwells, elevator shafts, or skylights. A large number of these accidents also involve falls to a lower level of the building.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 4,507 workers died from fall though accidents between 1992 and 1998. Of these fatalities, 88% resulted from a fall to a lower level of the building.
While the number of fatalities resulting from fall through construction accidents is very high, the number of serious injuries resulting from these accidents is even higher. During the same time period, the BLS reported 16,251 injuries leading to almost 260,000 days of work missed by employees. Clearly, by increasing safety measures and cutting down on fall through accidents, contactors could greatly reduce their workers’ compensation insurance premiums.
If you have suffered a construction accident in the Denver, Colorado area, please contact the Law Offices of Burg, Simpson, Eldredge, Hersh, & Jardine, P.C. today to schedule a consultation.
