Stephen Hasner | Workers' Compensation | March 15, 2018
Falls at work are dangerous and closely associated with serious workplace injuries and fatalities. Additionally, certain jobs come with a high risk of injury from a fall. Know the risks associated with your job, and always make safety your top priority.
The National Safety Council (NSC) identifies falls as the third–leading cause of injury-related fatalities. Construction workers are the most likely to face injuries from falls on the job, but even those who work at desk jobs encounter some risks. The NSC ranks the occupations that are most closely associated with dangerous falls (based on statistics from 2013):
- Construction work
- Manufacturing positions
- Wholesale-trade and retail-trade jobs
- Transportation work
- Warehousing occupations
The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) also shares important statistics related to falls in the workplace:
- Falls account for 5 percent of job-related fatalities for women and account for 11 percent for men (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Falls are the primary cause of days lost from work
- Falls are the leading cause of workers’ compensation claims
- Falls are the leading cause of injuries on the job for people 55 and older
Causes of Workplace Falls
Any number of factors can cause falls at work, including wet or otherwise slippery work surfaces, uneven or damaged work surfaces, cluttered walkways, and tripping hazards such as bunched or damaged floor coverings. Falls can occur at the ground level or from elevations, the latter of which are typically the most dangerous category of workplace falls.
Construction workers experience more than seven times the fatality rate of other industries, meriting a closer look at this occupation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that 21 percent of all workplace fatalities are related to construction work, which makes it one of the most dangerous occupations. Furthermore, OSHA breaks the specific dangers associated with construction-site fatalities into four classifications known as the “fatal four.” Of these, falls tops the list.
Construction work frequently requires the positioning of workers far from the ground—on every manner of equipment, including ladders, scaffolding, and huge machinery—which makes any falls that take place that much more dangerous. Because construction work is so dangerous and involves heavy-duty equipment, the equipment requires scrupulous maintenance according to strict safety standards—and construction workers themselves need good training in safety practices. Because construction workers face heightened risks when it comes to dangerous falls on the job, every construction company must carefully implement all mandated safety precautions.
Consult an Experienced Atlanta Workers’ Compensation Lawyer at Hasner Law PC Today
Falls at work are dangerous, and if you suffer an injury, consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney. These claims are complicated, but your rights to proper benefits matter. At Hasner Law, our dedicated legal team has the experience, skill, and compassion to guide your workers’ comp claim toward its most positive resolution—and we are here to help.
For more information, please contact the Atlanta workers’ compensation law firm of Hasner Law P.C. at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Fulton County, Chatham County, and its surrounding areas:
Hasner Law PC – Atlanta Law Office
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
(678) 888-4878
Hasner Law PC – Savannah Law Office
221 W York St
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 234-2334
