Attorney
The American Public Health Association (APHA) held its annual meeting earlier this month in DC. At the meeting, researchers from the Center for Construction Research and Training (CCRT) presented data from a study showing that construction workers have a 75 percent chance of suffering a catastrophic injury over a 45-year career. In addition, they have a 1-in-200 chance of a fatal injury on the job site.
As reported at usnews.com, the data for Hispanic construction workers is worse. The risk of a construction accident injury is 20 percent higher for Hispanic workers. Workers who began their careers early in the construction industry have a 15 percent chance of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Furthermore, a long career in the industry means an 11 percent chance of damaging lung tissue from dust.
A spokesperson for the CCRT commented that despite advancements in safety, the injury rates for construction workers are still too high. The spokesperson added that further research might raise awareness of safety issues and reduce injuries and fatalities in the construction industry.
If you spent some time working in the construction industry, did you feel that every job site was safe? Get in touch with our office today.
Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP
Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Injury Attorneys