IN Construction Accident Lawyer

Your Indiana Construction Accident Lawyer in Indianapolis Indiana read with interest the IOSHA report that indicated that 132 people died in the workplace in 2008, of which 19 died in Indiana Construction Accidents. Here is a link to the August 20, 2009 Article in the Indianapolis Star.  It was good to see that IOSHA increased its inspections  nearly 70%. Commissioner of Labor Lori Torres and her dedicated staff do a great job given the scope of the challenge and the resources provided to IOSHA. The role of the employer and the general contractors cannot be ignored, however. I was recently at a  deposition involving a fatal head injury and  the witnesses  testified whenever the general contractor required a hard hat to be worn on the job site, it was. This particular General Contractor did not require hard hats, and a fatal head injury was a result.  Here are some reminders from OSHA on preventing work injuries related for failure to provide and require Personal Protective Equipment:

Construction
Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)

• Safety glasses or face shields are worn any time work operations can cause foreign objects to get in the eye. For example, during welding, cutting, grinding, nailing (or when working with concrete and/or harmful chemicals or when exposed to flying particles). Wear when exposed to any electrical hazards, including working on energized electrical systems.
• Eye and face protectors – select based on anticipated hazards.

• Construction workers should wear work shoes or boots with slip-resistant and puncture-resistant soles.
• Safety-toed footwear is worn to prevent crushed toes when working around heavy equipment or falling objects.

• Gloves should fit snugly.
• Workers should wear the right gloves for the job (examples: heavy-duty rubber gloves for concrete work; welding gloves for welding; insulated gloves and sleeves when exposed to electrical hazards).

• Wear hard hats where there is a potential for objects falling from above, bumps to the head from fixed objects, or of accidental head contact with electrical hazards.
• Hard hats – routinely inspect them for dents, cracks or deterioration; replace after a heavy blow or electrical shock; maintain in good condition.

• Use earplugs/earmuffs in high noise work areas where chainsaws or heavy equipment are used; clean or replace earplugs regularly.