Building projects do not stop just because the weather turns cold. Many Maryland construction workers stay on the job year-round, and they know that no matter the time of year, this can be dangerous work.
Construction workers and their families must know about their options and rights if workers suffer injuries on the job, but a new report indicates that the risk of injury is slowly falling.
The overall rate of construction injuries slowly decreasing over time
A 2019 report stated that the overall rate of nonfatal injuries has been declining in the construction industry. The rate of injuries has slowly decreased from an average of 3.6 injuries to 3.0 injuries per 100 workers from 2014 to 2018.
Even the smallest decline in nonfatal injuries is good news, since the most common nonfatal injuries in this industry are often still severe, such as:
- Electrical burns;
- Lacerations or amputations;
- Broken bones; and
- Back or head injuries.
These injuries may be nonfatal, but they can still have a serious, life-changing impact on a worker’s life. Injured construction workers can mitigate these impacts since they are entitled to collect workers’ compensation benefits, no matter the risk involved in their job (Maryland Code, Labor & Employment § 9-507).
However, construction work is still one of the most dangerous jobs
A decrease in nonfatal injuries is a good sign, but construction work is still one of the deadliest industries in the United States. According to Business Insider, many jobs relating to the construction industry are some of the most dangerous jobs, including:
- Construction laborers, with 13 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers;
- Construction equipment operators, with 10.6 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers; and
- Construction trade workers, with 15.8 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers.
All workers in the construction industry understand the risks they face every day, but that only means they must increase their focus on safety in the workplace.
