Companies that operate a construction site are obligated to keep employees, guests and any passersby safe from the dangers that construction site poses. No construction site can be made completely safe, but steps must be taken to make them as reasonably safe as possible. Contact a Doylestown construction injury lawyer at Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC today if you or a loved one has suffered a construction site injury.
What Causes Construction Injuries?
Construction sites in Doylestown and elsewhere often use massive equipment, explosives, toxic chemicals, and heavy tools to build or destroy whatever is necessary. Common causes of construction site injuries include:
- The unsafe operation of cranes, trucks or other large vehicles. These machines often require multiple operators who are alert and constantly communicating.
- Construction sites will often use explosives to destroy old building or move land. Explosives are inherently dangerous and must always be handled with care.
- Toxic chemicals are often used to clean construction sites and construction equipment. These chemicals must be properly labeled, stored in appropriate containers and handled with great care.
- Heavy tools (such as jackhammers) are used throughout the construction and demolition processes. Operators should be properly trained and safeguards should be in place to protect against injury.
There are thousands of other ways that you can become injured on construction site. Always exercise care when working on or visiting a construction site, wear appropriate protection and follow safety instructions.
Who is Responsible for Construction Site Safety in Doylestown?
Failing to take appropriate safety precautions in and around a construction site can lead to catastrophic injuries and even death. Those operating a construction site are responsible for taking reasonable steps to ensure that workers and visitors are kept safe. This means that the construction site operator must inspect the property to identify what dangers are present and then take steps to mitigate those dangers. These steps could include:
- Erecting safety barriers to prevent unauthorized people from entering unsafe areas;
- Clearly marking dangers (for example, appropriate labels on chemical containers);
- Providing workers and visitors appropriate safety equipment; and
- Ensuring employees are properly trained to operate tools and vehicles being used.
Construction site operators in Doylestown who fail in their safety obligations should be held accountable for any injuries that result.
What Should I Do if I Have Been Injured While at a Construction Site?
There are different categories of people who may become injured while at a construction site.
Employee. Construction site workers are often the most susceptible to becoming injured or killed due to a construction site hazard. Employees should immediately report any unsafe conditions to their employer and insist that the hazard be managed before returning to work. All injuries should be reported immediately and employees should insist on being provided appropriate medical attention as quickly as possible.
Guest. Guests are those who are brought to the construction site to visit. A guest could be a potential buyer or investor in the property. Guests generally do not understand the dangers that a construction site presents and, therefore, the construction site operator must take steps to ensure that the guest is made aware of any dangers and that guests are as protected as much as possible from the danger.
Passerby. Construction site operators in Doylestown and elsewhere must take steps to keep construction site dangers within the construction site. For example, when using explosives, the construction site operator must make sure that debris from the explosion is contained and does not present a danger to a passerby who would be unaware of the danger.
Contact Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC Today
Whether you are a Doylestown construction employee, guest or passerby who has been injured by a construction site hazard, we are here to help. Contact Drake, Hileman & Davis, PC today online or by calling 888-777-7098.