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Explosion Accidents Top Cause of Construction Worker Fatalities

In a recent construction accident in Pompano Beach, a backhoe sliced a natural gas line. Traffic was detoured for hours because of it, according to the Sun Sentinel.

The construction accident happened just after 4:00 p.m. and right before rush hour on N. Federal Highway. A four-block section of the area was closed off until the gas leak was contained. It reopened around 8:00 p.m. when repair crews from TECO and firefighters were able to cap the gas leak.

Our Fort Lauderdale construction accident attorneys understand that construction workers face some serious risks for accidents. There are more on-the-job accidents experienced in the construction industry than any other industry out there. Some of the most serious risks for these kinds of accidents come from fire and explosion. These can lead to some of the most devastating and catastrophic injuries, and oftentimes result in permanent disability and even death.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were close to 1,000 construction workers killed on the job in the U.S. in 2011. Many of these accidents, injuries and fatalities could be prevented with just a little more planning. It’s important not to rush just to meet a schedule or deadline demand. You need to step back, evaluate the work site and make sure that all of the proper and necessary safety precautions are being taken to protect you and your fellow coworkers.

In 2011, explosions and fires killed more than 140 workers in the U.S. These kinds of accidents account for close to 5 percent of all workplace fatalities for the year. It’s important for supervisors and workers to understand the causes of these kinds of accidents and work together to help to prevent them in the future.

Four Types of Injuries Associated with Explosions:

-Primary blast injuries. These kinds of injuries affect the lungs, ears and gastrointestinal tract.

-Secondary injuries. These are usually a result of workers being hit by flying objects projected from the blast. This can even happen when an explosion is strong enough to lift someone off the group and toss them into an object.

-Tertiary blast injuries. These are oftentimes caused by high-energy explosions. These injuries include crush injuries, burns and inhalation of toxic substances.

-Quaternary explosion injuries are all of the other injuries that occur as the result of an explosion.

These accidents and injuries can be prevented. It’s important that companies and workers understand the risks on their job site. It’s important to make sure that all chemicals are stored properly and that all underground wires and lines are mapped out before digging. All workers should be provided with the proper protective equipment and training. Remember that it’s your employer’s responsibility to make sure you’ve got all the tools you need to be safe on the job. Being aware and knowledgeable about these risks is the first, and most effective, step in protecting everyone on your job site.

Contact Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC if you have been injured at work. Call 1-800-561-7777 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your claim today.

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