The construction industry is one of the most accident-prone working sectors. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 13 out of 112 total work-related fatalities in Wisconsin in 2023 were construction-related. The important thing to note is that these accidents are preventable. Lack of proper training, not using protective equipment, non-maintenance of equipment and machinery, and other safety violations can lead to life-threatening consequences. Workers have the right to work in a safe environment, and when injuries are caused by the negligence of safety protocols, employees can fight for justice.
We at MacGillis Law Group, LLC, our construction accident lawyer in Milwaukee, fight for the right to justice and seek compensation for injured victims. With this blog, we aim to help injured victims understand safety violations and how to strengthen their case for fair compensation.
Some Common Construction Site Safety Violations
Workplace safety violation especially on construction sites, can occur in different forms, with some more dangerous than others.
- Lack of Protective Gears & Exposure to Safety Hazards
Accidental falls at contruction workplace are one of the most common reasons for fatal injuries and deaths. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Standards cover a broad spectrum of workplace hazards, and specific violations are more common than others. Lack of harness, guardrails, unsafe scaffolding or ladders- each of these violations contributes to serious injuries or even death sometimes.
- Ignoring Fall Prevention Training
According to OSHA reports, approximately 2.3 million construction workers work on scaffolds, and each year, 50 deaths are attributed to scaffold-related accidents. Scaffold safety is often overlooked, causing fatal injuries and deaths each year. Without safe scaffolding or ladders, the likelihood of fall accidents becomes more evident. Additionally, a lack of proper training and disregard for safety protocols, including the absence of protective gear, increases the likelihood of accidents.
- Occupational Safety Training & Irregularities in Reporting Injuries & Fatalities
OSHA enforces safety regulations to ensure the workplace is as safe as possible. Training employees on safety protocols and emergency procedures is crucial. This allows workers to understand how safety hazards and life-saving equipment are to be used. However, this essential training is often skipped, and new employees may be asked to operate dangerous equipment without instruction and without safety equipment; these incidents are a major breach of safety protocols.
How Safety Violations Can Lead to Accidents
Workplace safety is more than just following rules. It is about protecting the workforce, and when employers fail to meet safety protocols, workers are at risk. For instance, a new hire is given the task to operate machinery without any training. Lack of training can lead to injuries or, at times, even death. In another case, a worker is made to carry heavy material with safety gear, leading to a preventable fall. Even a small safety violation can cause fatal injuries. Evidence showing safety violations can help link injuries to unsafe working conditions.
Who is Liable for Safety Violation Injuries in Milwaukee?
In many cases, the liability for safety violations falls on the employer as they failed to follow safety protocols. However, sometimes third-party contractors, property owners or companies of faulty safety gear may be at fault. The degree of liability depends on whether the parties breached the duty of care. This includes a review of employment relationships, control of workplace conditions and contracts.
The Role of OSHA Standards in Safety Violation Cases
OSHA states detailed regulations, from how construction scaffolding should be secured to the type of protective gear to be worn when working with chemicals. Employers are legally obligated to provide a safe working environment that follows safety regulations. This includes:
- Providing personal protective gear like harnesses, gloves. Helmets & other equipment.
- Training employees on emergency procedures and safety protocols.
- Conducting regular inspections to identify and fix safety hazards.
- Maintaining equipment and machinery, ensuring utmost safety.
- Ensuring fatalities are reported within OSHA guidelines.
When employers fail to abide by OSHA guidelines, the authorities enforce an investigation of unsafe working conditions. Sometimes, even with strong evidence, proving a safety violation can be challenging. An experienced Milwaukee construction site accident attorney can fight for your right to compensation. Lawyers can help connect injuries to safety violations, OSHA standards violations and preserve evidence to build a strong case.
Steps to Take After Workplace Injury to Strengthen Your Case
After a construction site accident, the major challenge is proving it. To strengthen your case, strong evidence is safety violation associated with your injury is crucial. Follow the steps mentioned below:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: This not only caters to your injuries, but also ensures medical reports.
- Report Injuries to Employer: This helps create a record of communicating the incident with the employer.
- Document the Scene: Take photos and videos that support your case. Capture unsafe working conditions like unstable scaffolding, missing guardrails, faulty machinery and equipment before changes can be made by the employer.
- Collect Reports & Records: If there is an investigation into a safety violation at the site, collect OSHA records. Maintenance reports, safety checklist and site logs to determine whether safety measures were skipped.
- Witness Statements: Get statements from your co-workers or bystanders who may have seen the incident and add credibility to the accident. In states like Wisconsin, unions and workers can help collect such statements.
How MacGillis Law Group, LLC Can Help Protect Workers’ Right to Justice
Even with strong evidence, proving a violation can still be a challenge. This is where Milwaukee personal injury lawyers step in. At MacGillis Law Group, LLC, we have seen how employers shift blame to innocent workers and fail to take accountability. We aim to shed light on these violations and fight for the rights of workers. So if you have been hurt on a construction site in Milwaukee, our team can help you seek justice and the compensation you deserve. Let us protect you.