Construction site injuries vary greatly based on the type of work being performed and the circumstances surrounding the environment and the individual affected. Although many construction injuries are minor, serious consequences must not be overlooked. Traumatic injuries and even death may result form the negligence of coworkers, the failure to follow established safety procedures, or defective equipment. Although no construction job is completely safe, many of the injuries suffered on site can be avoided by taking the proper precautions. However, there are many serious injuries that construction workers suffer each and every day.
The following is a lengthy list of the possible injuries construction workers face following construction site accidents:
· Head injury: Unfortunately, hard hats are not barriers to all forms of head injuries that can happen at a construction site. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), closed head injury, concussion and coma may result from a variety of hazardous situations at a work site. These conditions can lead to long-term complications and death.
· Closed head injury: This occurs when the head sustains a blunt force by striking against an object. Most head injuries are closed head injuries. A concussion is a type of closed head injury that is very common amongst construction workers.
· Concussion: A concussion is caused by a blow to the head that results in a temporary loss of awareness. When a concussion occurs, it is due to cerebrospinal fluid being unable to cushion the brain from the skull during impact. Some concussions have serious long-term effects, and the risk for long-term effects increases in individuals who have suffered from multiple concussions.
· Severed nerve: Nerve damage can occur as a result of injury or swelling, and in extreme cases, nerves may be completely severed. When this occurs, a variety of medical conditions may result that cannot be repaired. A severed nerve may cause paralysis on the affected limb or a loss of sensation. Construction workers rely on their physical capabilities to perform day-to-day work. When these capabilities are limited, their entire livelihood can suffer.
· Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord carries sensory signals and motor control to most of the skeletal muscles in the body, and almost every voluntary muscle in the body below the head relies on the spinal cord for control. An injury to the spinal cord usually has severe repercussions on the rest of the body. A spinal cord injury can be a life-altering event for the injured and his/her family as round-the-clock care may be necessary after a spinal cord injury.
· Paralysis: Paralysis occurs when all muscle function is lost for one or more muscle groups. This can be caused by a spinal cord injury, and depending on the type of injury, paralysis may affect just a small part of the body or the entire body. Any form of paralysis will be disruptive to one's life. Routines that were once simple will be incredibly difficult, and your whole quality of life will change if you are paralyzed in a construction accident.
· Severe cuts: With a variety of tools being used in a busy environment, it is not surprising that serious cuts are common amongst construction workers. Open gashes can become infected and lead to more serious consequences.
· Burns: Burn injuries are a very real risk at construction sites because of huge amounts of heated water, steam, chemicals and electricity at construction sites. Burns can cause serious long-term consequences, and burn injuries are both slow to heal and extremely painful, with the pain lasting throughout the healing process and for years to follow. Burn survivors often require extensive medical care, and families of burn victims must often do battle with a sudden unexpected injury that has forever changed their lives.
· Loss of limb: Suffering a loss of limb is a tragedy for anyone, but for construction workers who rely on their limbs for their livelihood, a loss of limb is particularly devastating.
· Amputations: Amputations are sometimes necessary following an accident to preserve life. As a surgical measure, amputation controls pain or a disease process and is a preventative measure.
· Dislocations: Dislocations are a risk inherent in many forms of physical work such as construction and often cause damage to ligaments. Dislocations may require physical manipulation to return the bones to their proper position. Healing from a dislocation can cause construction workers to miss a great deal of work.
· Broken bones: Broken bones are not only painful but take a long time to heal and require time off from work.
· Blindness: Construction accidents can result in vision loss or complete blindness. Obviously, the repercussions of losing one's sight are huge and require you to leave work indefinitely in most cases.
