Some Illinois jobs are more dangerous than others. If you work in the construction industry, your employer has likely already informed you of many risks that you might encounter in the workplace. Your employer also hopefully has provided all necessary training and equipment to help keep you safe on the job.
Being proactive, alert and always aware of your surroundings can also help you reduce the risk for construction worker injuries. The old saying about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure may be true for construction workers. If an accident does occur, it’s equally important to know what to do, including knowing how to navigate the personal injury litigation system, if needed.
Asbestos is still used in the U.S. construction industry
As a construction worker, you might be at risk for contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related injuries if you become exposed to the dangerous, microscopic fibers that cause such diseases. Approximately 60 countries have banned asbestos altogether.
If you work with ceiling tiles, plaster, insulation, gears or circuit boards, you run the risk of asbestos exposure in the workplace.
Do you work from high locations?
How often do you have to climb a ladder at work or use a scaffold to reach things at great heights on the job? Working in high-up areas poses one of the greatest injury risks for construction workers.
You’re also at risk if you’re working on the ground level of a construction site but someone else nearby is working up high. He or she might drop an object, which could wind up hitting you and causing severe injury.
Additional issues that place construction workers at risk
There’s a reason construction work typically ranks high as one of the most dangerous types of jobs in Illinois and across the country. From injuries that occur because of electrical mishaps to slips and falls, motor vehicle collisions and collapsing walls or trenches, any number of things can go wrong on a job site that results in injury.
What to do if you’re involved in a construction accident
Even a minor workplace injury can cause you to have to take time off work in recovery. A more severe injury could leave you unable to work for weeks, perhaps even months. It’s possible that a construction accident could cause you a serious injury that results in permanent disability that prevents you from ever returning to work.
In either case, the top priority in the immediate aftermath of a construction accident is to seek medical attention. In situations involving asbestos, you might be sick for years before symptoms develop. Receiving a medical diagnosis not only helps you get the treatment you need but also creates written documentation of the incident that caused your injury.
It’s also important to file a report with your employer and know where to seek legal support if you have evidence that a third party’s negligence was a direct cause of your injuries.