Best Ways To Respond To The Construction Accidents

Whether you are working in the construction industry for years or are just a newbie worker, there are chances of unexpected accidents. For the sake of yours and your fellow workers’ safety, you should know how to respond when an accident occurs. A renowned construction accident attorney Philadelphia suggests having an emergency response strategy against all the possible accidences, from trench collapse to electric response to the falls. Determine the local rescue as well as the medical services along with the numbers you need to contact after the emergency occurs. Usually, it takes 3-4 minutes to reach the hospital and till then you will need a first aid responder. Here are some of the tips on how to respond when an accident occurs. 

Electrocution or Electric Shocks

Around 350 fatalities are recorded every year in the construction industry due to electric shocks. Low voltage can be fatal if the victim is unable to get released from the circuit. In such cases, when the victim is stuck with the circuit, turn it off.  If the switch is inaccessible, try to drag the victim away from the circuit using something that is a bad conductor of electricity, like dry wood. Do not touch the body directly until the circuit has been turned off. 

Victims that survive from electrocution may go into the shock; let them lay down; cover them with the blanket while keeping the head down. Do not move the victim if his/her neck or head is injured. If the victim is unable to breathe, call someone experience in CPR to give artificial breathing.

Slips and Falls

Falls are one of the key reasons behind the deaths occurred at the construction site. According to Federal Law, workers working at height should have a fall protection system to stay protected. However, if someone falls, s/he needs to be rescued within 6 minutes. 

Some falls may not be too dangerous, but it is advised to call for emergency help, especially when the fallen person is in excessive pain. Look for any apparent deformity or greyness on the body. If the person is bleeding, apply pressure to the wound using a bandage for stopping stop the blood. Apply a splint, if you are experienced in doing so. Ice packs can also be used to reduce the swelling. 

If the victim feels it hard to breathe, lay down the person and raise the legs. However, in case of spinal or neck injury, don’t move the body, neither let the victim eat or drink anything. Also, keep the person warm. 

Collapsing Trench

Constructing the trenches is not as easy and simple as it sounds; there is an ample of risks, like trench collapse or caves in. The victim can have broken bones, internal hemorrhaging, or cardiac arrest. Whenever a trend collapse, all the people who can move should get out of it.  Call 911 as soon as possible. Turn all the construction equipment off and move traffic to another area to prevent vibrations to prevent further collapses. 

These were some measures one should take just after the accident occurs. It is advised that before taking any of the steps discussed enough, one should know that he or she has relevant experience. Besides employees, employers should also keep their employees acquainted with how to respond when any construction accident in order to save themselves from facing any Construction Accident Attorney PA or any other part of the world. 

This shall not be construed as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is formed unless you sign a Fee Agreement with Cardamone Law, LLC. Cardamone Law is a Pennsylvania Work Comp Law Firm.