Common Causes of Injuries for Demolition Workers

Demolition work is an important part of the construction industry. Whether it’s removing an existing building or clearing land to make room for a new building development project or working to support an infrastructure improvement project, demolition workers play a vital role in helping important new projects come to fruition. 

Construction work of any kind involves a lot of potential safety hazards to workers, but OSHA describes demolition work as “construction in reverse, with additional hazards.” Not only does demolition work require a lot of heavy equipment and powerful tools, sometimes even explosives, demolition work can involve more unknown factors that can add even more risks to workers. For example, there can be unforeseen structural weaknesses that lead to a collapse. Or if an older building is being demolished, there’s a chance that hidden hazardous materials, like asbestos, will be uncovered during the process. 

However, just because construction and demolition work involves a lot of safety hazards, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to prevent worker injuries. Proper planning, training, and safety equipment are all critical parts of reducing the risk of injuries in workers, such as:

Falls

Falls are an extremely common cause of injuries on construction sites and demolition sites are no exception. Demolition work often involves working at a height, requiring the use of ladders or scaffolding. If ladders, scaffolding, and other fall-prevention gear isn’t used correctly or properly maintained, it’s far too easy for people to get seriously hurt. 

Falling Debris

Not only does demolition work involve risks for people to fall, workers can be at risk for being hit by falling debris. One of OSHA’s recommended practices for safe building demolition is that demolition of exterior walls start from the top and work downward. This means that things like roofing debris and other building materials will need to make their way downward. Special care needs to be taken to reduce the risk of workers being struck by falling debris, such as using chutes to safely guide discarded materials down. 

Structural Collapse

The demolition process inherently affects the structural integrity of a building and it’s essential that employers take all reasonable steps to prevent collapse, such as by properly bracing walls when necessary and being careful to not remove any load-bearing structures until the sections of the building that they had been supporting have been removed. While there are steps that can be taken to mitigate the risk of structural collapse, there’s also a risk that unanticipated issues affecting stability could come up during the demolition process. 

Exposure to Hazardous Materials

Tearing down a building can potentially cause workers to come into contact with a wide range of hazardous materials, including mold, asbestos, lead, and silica, all of which require special care to handle safely and reduce the risk of harm to workers and others who may be near a jobsite. 

Equipment-Related Injuries

Any jobsite where heavy machinery is used comes with a significant risk of injury to workers. Poorly maintained equipment can potentially malfunction. There’s also a chance that workers could be struck by a piece of machinery or have limbs caught in a machine. 

Contact a Michigan Workplace Injury Lawyer

Earning an honest living shouldn’t have to mean putting your life and safety on the line. Even when a job involves many different safety hazards, such as construction work, employers still need to take reasonable steps to minimize those risks. If you’ve been injured on the job, don’t hesitate to contact a workplace injury lawyer for help. Scott Goodwin Law has helped many other victims of workplace accidents, including construction workers, get the justice they deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation where you can get answers to any questions you have about your case and learn about your options.

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