This should come as no surprise, but some of the most serious injuries and fatalities of any industry occur in construction, particularly roofing. Falls from roofs often result in life-threatening injuries or even death, as the sheer height of the buildings is enough to cause problems in itself. While accidents undoubtedly happen, many of these types of falls are preventable, should employers make greater efforts to protect employees who are working on top of buildings. Unfortunately, many construction sites do not adhere to proper safety regulations set in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is a national organization that governs construction sites, projects and how they should operate. In the event an employer does not follow OSHA’s strict guidelines, it could result in unsafe work conditions and, in turn, serious accidents.
According to OSHA’s regulations, workers that are working from heights of 6 feet or more must wear proper fall protection gear and have the right equipment for their specific project. They must also be trained and supervised to make sure they are following all safety precautions set in place prior to starting the job. Working from any height comes with added risks, but this is especially true for workers who are assigned to do their job on the top of a roof. There are numerous factors that can contribute to the risks of working on a roof, including steep or severely sloped roofs, weather conditions, and obstructions on the roof itself.
We know that working on roofs is dangerous, but just how dangerous? Let’s now take a look at some of the most surprising facts about roofing accidents:
- Nearly 1 in 4 fatalities that occur at a construction site involve falls
- More than 150,000 Americans require emergency medical treatment for roofing-related accidents every year
- 97% of roofing accidents happen at home
- Of all fatal roofing accidents that happen in the construction industry, approximately 67% occur in small construction companies with less than 10 employees
- Residential construction workers and immigrants have the highest rates of roof fatalities
- Falls account for roughly 76% of all deaths in the roofing industry
- Roofing workers are three times more likely to sustain a serious injury or death compared to all other construction workers
- Falls from tall buildings are the most likely to result in fatal brain or spinal injuries
As you can see, roofing accidents are extremely serious and can have a drastic impact on a worker’s life. In order to prevent falls, construction workers should do their best to follow safety procedures set in place by their employer and OSHA.
Here is a look at the most common injuries associated with roofing accidents:
- Broken bones
- Severe sprains
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Cuts or lacerations
- Loss of limbs
- Back injuries
- Death
To learn more about roofing accidents in Oklahoma, please contact AMA Law today. Our knowledgeable roofing accident attorneys are prepared to go over your case with you and advise you on your legal rights and how to proceed moving forward.