At McGowan & Cecil LLC, we see many injuries associated with falls that occur on a construction site. Such a workplace accident could leave you suffering with a brain injury, neck and back damage, spinal cord injury and broken bones. However, a recent study reveals that if you are over the age of 55, your risk of falling is greater.
The Center for Construction Research and Training looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries related to falls involving the construction industry. The information covered older workers and spanned a period of 15 years. Researchers noted that workers between the age of 45 and 54 were especially vulnerable to fatal accidents; previously, that rate had belonged to workers who were aged 25-34.
The data showed that older workers needed to be better matched in the tasks they performed to lower their risk of falling. Researchers also noted the following findings:
- For all workers, the occupations with the highest number of fatal falls were ironworkers, roofers and powerline installers.
- Workers who were 55 or older accounted for one-fifth of all falls ending in death over the last five years of the study period.
- Falls from roofs and ladders resulted in more deaths to older workers than those in the younger age bracket.
- Younger workers had a lower fatality rate for falls than older workers in “11 of 14 major construction occupations.”
The study points out that the reason for the increased fatality numbers among older workers was due in part to the increase of the average constructor’s age.
There are many ways that you can suffer a fall while working on a jobsite. For more information on this subject. Please visit our web page.
