What are the major causes of excavator injuries at construction sites in Massachusetts?

Excavator Injuries

Between 1992 and 2000, the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH) identified 346 deaths caused by excavators or backhoe loaders in the united states. The data found that the most common causes of injury were

  1. Being struck by the machine or parts of the machine while the machine was in motion; and
  2. Being struck by excavator buckets that unexpectedly detached from the machine

Some fatalities were also caused by rollovers, electrocutions, and slides into trenches. Other injuries common in excavator accidents include crushed limbs, blunt-force trauma, and head and brain injuries. Our experienced Boston excavator injury lawyers have been handling these work related injury cases for over 50 years.

A recent research study identified the four main factors leading to excavator and rock crushing machine accidents: inadequate safety training, inadequate protective equipment, the injured party not being a union worker, and poorly maintained machinery. No matter how the injury occurred our lawyers will be able to get the compensation you are entitled to.

NIOSH has put forth recommendations to prevent excavator injuries and fatalities.

All workers who work near excavators are at risk. Proper training, proper installation and maintenance, work practices and protective equipment are best practice.

  • Pre-check. Before setting up the site, contractors should contact local utilities and other parties to locate utility lines. They should also ensure the excavator is fit for use on the particular worksite.
  • Operator training. Operators should only operate the equipment they are assigned. They should continually evaluate safety protocol, maintain equipment, follow instructions, maintain frequent visual inspection of parts, and use all available safety equipment. They should avoid exceeding load capacities and adjust all systems to comply with the worksite they are on.
  • Other workers. Other workers on the site should recognize and avoid unsafe conditions. They need to be aware of the machine operator blind spots and avoid these areas. In general workers should not approach machines without spotters or signal persons present to notify the operator.
  • Proper protective equipment. All workers on the worksite need proper protective equipment to best avoid serious injury or death.

If you were injured by an excavator on your construction site, we can help.

Large construction projects are constantly happening all over the country, and we need heavy machinery to get them done. The best possible way to avoid these injuries is to enforce the above safety regulations on construction worksites. Unfortunately, sometimes contractors take short-cuts for the sake of expediency and their workers end up paying the price, sometimes with their lives. If you or a loved one was injured in an excavator injury on a construction site, contact out excavator injury attorneys at Altman & Altman LLP. You may be entitled to compensation for the negligence of your employer.

 Call us for a free consultation today at 617.492.3000 or toll-free at 800.481.6199. We have an experienced team of excavator injury attorneys ready to work on your case. The personal injury attorneys at Altman & Altman LLP have two convenient locations – with offices located in Cambridge and Boston. We are empathetic to your unique situation and we have over 50 years of experience fighting on behalf of victims of all types of injuries. We are available 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

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