MMA Blog

Keeping your workers safe at the construction site

 

Spring is here at last, the annual season when the grass grows, the temperatures warm and the flowers bloom. But vegetation isn't the only thing flourishing when the seasons change - so do contractors, as builders look to get ahead of homebuyers in the market in an effort to shore up dwindling inventory, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

But in contractors' haste to get a jump on the action, it's important that project leaders make sure their workers' physical well-being is prioritized and isn't second fiddle to productivity.

Deadly workplace injuries rose 7% in 2016."

There's been a disturbing trend at many of the country's workplaces, where more people are getting injured. Many of the injuries are so serious as to be fatal. For instance, in 2016, roughly 5,200 people were killed at the job site due to accidents, according to the most recent numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That's up 7 percent from 2015 and marks the fourth consecutive year of occupational injuries rising.

The construction sector saw a double-digit surge in fatal injuries in 2016, the most recent year for which data is available. Specifically, deadly workplace accidents among builders and maintenance workers jumped 14 percent from 2015, according to estimates from the BLS.

"Falls are typically the leading cause of fatalities in construction," said Bruce Hollcroft, senior risk control specialist at MMA Insurance. "Residential contractors face this exposure regularly."

Preventable injuries more common than ever
Accidental injury occurs so often, it's now in the No. 3 spot for top causes of death in the U.S., according to the National Safety Council. It's the first time in recorded history this has happened, with the uptick in 2016 the most significant year-over-year increase since 1936.

Deborah Hersman, president and CEO of the NSC, said that many employers simply aren't adopting a safety first mentality.

"Our complacency results in 442 deaths each day," Hersman warned. "For years our country has accepted unintentional injuries as an unavoidable reality. The truth is, there is no such thing as an accident. Every single one of these deaths was preventable."

The construction industry, which accounts for a substantial portion of the U.S. economy, often entails job functions that can be risky when the appropriate precautions aren't put in place. Injuries can range from slips, trips and falls to accidents involving high-powered equipment

 

Missed step most frequent ladder hazard
Ladder accidents are particularly frequent and are often due to silly mistakes or using equipment in a way that is not intended. In 2016, for example, missing the last rung and overreaching were the two most common causes for injuries involving ladders, according to the American Ladder Institute (ALI).

Ryan Moss, ALI president, stressed these kinds of accidental injuries can be avoided by working smarter.

"Most ladder-related accidents can be easily prevented with the proper education, precautionary actions, and safer, more innovative equipment," Moss advised.

With March being National Ladder Safety Month, the ALI recommends implementing these four easy-to-follow guidelines:

1. Choose or purchase a ladder that fits the job, ensuring it's the appropriate length.
2. Set up ladder exactly as instructed.
3. Check for signs of wear that may compromise a ladder's integrity.
4. Use a ladder as it's meant to be used.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration also has suggestions on how to prevent falls on the job site. Core components to a safe construction zone are planning, training and providing the right equipment for tasks at hand.

Hollcroft recommended builders implement a safety audit.

"Residential contractors often don't have the resources for an internal safety specialist, so they may need to look to their insurance agent, broker or carrier for support with safety and compliance," Hollcroft advised.

As a construction professional, injuries can throw a real wrench into your productivity goals. But accidents happen, and when - or if - they do, MMA will be there to provide you with the coverage you need to bounce back. Talk to us to learn more and schedule a risk assessment.

Keep Up To Date

Subscribe to our blog for all the latest news, updates, and events from MMA and our partners

Subscribe

Tell us what you need. We’ll take it from there.

Get a Quote


    YesNo











        First, tell us about you:






        EmailPhone


        Next, tell us about your business:





        Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


        Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



        NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

        You are ready to submit the form:

          First, tell us about you:






          EmailPhone





          Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


          AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



          NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

          Now you are ready to submit the form:

            First, tell us about you:






            EmailPhone





            Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


            AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



            NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

            Now you are ready to submit the form:

              First, tell us about you:






              EmailPhone


              Next, tell us about your business:





              Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


              Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



              NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

              You are ready to submit the form:

                First, tell us about you:






                EmailPhone






                Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance


                Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsEmployee Health InsuranceSurety



                NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                Now you are ready to submit the form:




                    First, tell us about you:






                    EmailPhone





                    Step 1 of 2Next

                    Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                    AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreational

                     

                    WatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



                    NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                    Now you are ready to submit the form:

                      First, tell us about you:






                      EmailPhone


                      Step 1 of 3Next

                      Next, tell us about your business:





                      Step 2 of 3Next

                      Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                      Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



                      NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                      You are ready to submit the form:

                        First, tell us about you:






                        EmailPhone





                        Step 1 of 2Next



                        NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                        Now you are ready to submit the form:

                          Review Form

                            First, tell us about you:






                            EmailPhone







                            NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                            Now you are ready to submit the form:

                              First, tell us about you:






                              EmailPhone





                              Next, tell us about your claim:






                              NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                              Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                First, tell us about you and your business:







                                EmailPhone


                                Next, tell us about the surety bond you need:







                                NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                  First, tell us about you:






                                  EmailPhone


                                  Next, tell us about your business:





                                  Now tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                                  Commercial InsuranceEmployee BenefitsHealth InsuranceSuretyOther



                                  NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                  You are ready to submit the form:

                                    First, tell us about you:






                                    EmailPhone





                                    Next, tell us about the coverage or coverages you need:


                                    AutoHomeIndividual HealthUmbrellaRecreationalWatercraftRenter’s InsuranceLife InsuranceWedding Insurance



                                    NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                    Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                      First, tell us about you:






                                      EmailPhone






                                      Do you have insurance with us already?



                                      Tell us what you need:




                                      NOTE: Before becoming effective, all changes, bind orders, or claim notifications must be confirmed by a MMA Insurance representative advising that your request has been processed.

                                      Now you are ready to submit the form:

                                      cross linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram