Roofing Law
Roofing: One of the Most Dangerous Jobs in the United States
According to the 2016 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics), roofers have the fourth most dangerous job in America. For every 100,000 workers, there were 48.6 fatal accidents in 2016. Roofing involves a great deal of climbing, heavy lifting, bending, and kneeling in extremely hot weather. Serious accidents occur due to slips, trips, and falls, often resulting in minor to severe injuries that lead to missed work days. Our roofing lawyers in Florida would like to share some of the risks roofers face daily.
Frequent Injuries Roofers Face
Normally, fall hazards are what you hear about the most when it comes to roofing work. Indeed, falls account for over half of roofing fatalities but roofers are at risk for other debilitating injuries as well. These injuries include the following:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – A serious injury that results from a fall or a major blow to the head or body. TBI has a range of physical and psychological effects that can cause long-term complications or death.
Burns – The use of tar or performing work on hot surfaces exposes roofers to burn incidents. Slips, trips, and splashes of hot tar can lead to severe burns, pain, and scarring.
Electrocution – Ranking number three of the Fatal Four (a leading cause of worker deaths), electrocutions are a major cause of death in the construction industry. Working at heights puts roofers dangerously close to power lines. If a ladder that a roofer is working on comes in contact with an electrical line, the result can be fatal.
Heat-related injuries – Working outside all day in heat and humidity puts roofers at risk for heat-related illnesses including heat stroke, heat cramps, heat rash, and heat exhaustion. Adjusting schedules, wearing the proper gear, and staying hydrated reduces the risk.
Puncture Wounds – A range of tools are needed to complete roofing jobs but these tools can present minor to severe danger to roofers. From stepping on nails to accidental nail gun punctures, roofers can seriously injure themselves depending on the location of the puncture.
Contact a Roofing Lawyer
Every area of a construction site presents risks of hazardous chemicals and dangerous equipment. Roofing injuries are hard on both workers and employers, which is why every effort should be made to follow all roofing safety guidelines to prevent needless accidents. If you need assistance maintaining workplace safety, meeting OSHA compliance, and avoiding safety violations, give our office a call to work with an experienced roofing lawyer in Florida.
If you would like to speak with a roofing attorney in Florida, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.