Road workers are a necessary part of our traffic infrastructure, and they often focus on personal safety while they work. This is a great mindset, but one must remember that they face many dangers and risks that they cannot control.
To really put safety first, workers need to know what these risks are, how to minimize them, and what to do if they suffer injuries.
7 of the greatest risks road workers must worry about
Let’s start by looking at some of the most significant risks that workers face. There are far too many to name in one list, but here are seven main ones to be aware of:
- Nearby traffic
- Heavy equipment
- Extreme heat
- Physical labor
- Trips and falls
- Overexertion
- Exposure to hazardous materials
There are several different ways that workers can minimize their injury risks. They can do so by using proper personal protective equipment or by taking breaks when they need them. Employers can also do their part by providing their workers with training on the proper operation of heavy equipment and machinery.
However, some factors are out of workers’ control. A driver who is texting through a work zone could strike a colleague who wasn’t doing anything wrong. A machine that malfunctions or breaks could cause injuries to workers congregating around it, even though they were using it properly.
In short, road construction is a hazardous industry. Even the easiest jobs can be demanding because they include a lot of physical labor. Countless workers get hurt on the job. Reports show that hundreds of them even suffer fatal injuries every year.
You’ll want to understand all of your legal options if you or a loved one suffer injuries or lose their life on the job. An attorney can go over those with you.