Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers | September 17, 2025 | Construction Accident
The construction industry is dangerous, resulting in nearly 10 fatalities per 100,000 full-time workers. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) studies construction accidents and creates regulations to protect workers.
According to OSHA, four circumstances, known as the “OSHA Fatal Four,” are the most common causes of all construction fatalities. If you work in the construction industry, you need to be aware of these four causes and what you can do to protect yourself.
1. Falling
The most common cause of fatalities in the construction industry is falls from a height. While construction work may take you to the top of a skyscraper, many fatal falls involve much lower heights. A fall from even a single story can result in a deadly brain injury if you fall the wrong way.
Because a slip and fall has the potential to be fatal, even at relatively low heights, OSHA standards require all construction workers to use fall protection when working at six feet or more above ground level. This may seem like unnecessary caution, but these standards save lives.
2. Electrocution
While falling represents the lion’s share of construction deaths, electrocution has taken thousands of lives over the years. Electrocution risks are quite high on construction sites where there is often exposed wiring or energized tools.
This risk increases significantly when water is present. An unexpected rainstorm or an open bottle of water can result in electrocution death with almost no warning.
OSHA electrical standards go a long way to preventing these types of accidents. If the construction site where you work doesn’t follow those standards, you should speak to your foreman or someone else in charge right away.
3. Struck-By
Another common cause of construction site fatalities is struck-by accidents. These are accidents where a moving piece of equipment strikes you.
This type of accident can occur in several different ways. For example, another worker could pick up a two-by-four and spin around without looking, striking you with the board. Even worse, if another worker is recklessly using a tool or you aren’t paying attention, you could be hit with the back of a hammer or some type of bladed tool.
Typically, the most dangerous struck-by accidents involve heavy machinery. The arm of a loader weighs several hundred pounds and has a lot of force when moving. If that hits your head or neck, it could be instantly fatal.
The main ways to protect yourself from these types of accidents are to always be watchful of your surroundings and wear appropriate protective gear (including safety glasses and a helmet) at all times.
4. Caught in or Caught Between
This type of accident typically involves vehicles, large machines, or other moving devices. For example, getting caught between a truck backing up and a wall can be instantly fatal. This often happens because whoever is controlling the moving device cannot see certain blind spots.
Proper safety training is one of the best ways to prevent these types of accidents. Fatalities are much less common when everyone on a construction site knows how these machines move and where to stay to avoid accidents.
Avoiding the OSHA Fatal Four
While construction sites are dangerous, that doesn’t mean you can’t mitigate that danger. Combating the OSHA Fatal Four is a multi-part endeavor. The people in charge of the site should enforce all OSHA standards and insist on safe behavior. Similarly, you should be aware of dangers and always stay on the lookout for situations that could be fatal.
Contact the Sandy Springs Construction Accident Lawyers at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured on a construction site, Hammers Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation with a Sandy Springs Construction accident attorney. We work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless we win.
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201 Joseph E Lowery Blvd NW Suite 312,
Atlanta, GA 30314
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Sandy Springs, GA 30342
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Lawrenceville, GA 30046
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Mableton, GA 30126
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Smyrna, GA 30080
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Roswell, GA 30075
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About Robert M. Hammers Jr.
Robert M. Hammers, Jr. is the managing partner at Hammers Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers in Atlanta. Committed to justice, he represents individuals harmed by negligence, focusing on personal injury litigation, toxic torts, and mass torts involving defective drugs and medical devices.
With over 50 jury trials and $100 million in verdicts and settlements, Rob is known for his strategic thinking and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for his clients. He serves on the Executive Committee for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice Board of Governors, and the Plaintiff Leadership Committee in complex multi-district and toxic tort litigations, where he advocates for injured individuals and shapes legal strategies.
Robert is also recognized on Justia for his excellence in personal injury law, further highlighting his reputation and commitment to client advocacy.
