Safety Code Violations During Construction in Las Vegas

Las Vegas has maintained an impressive rate of growth over recent years, committing to new hotels, casinos, housing developments, and infrastructure projects that shape the city’s economy and skyline. Construction plays a critical role in the state’s economy, but it’s also one of the most dangerous industries in the United States. Accidents can, and often do, put workers directly in harm’s way.

Strict safety codes aim to keep workers and the public safe. However, safety code violations are an ongoing issue. Learn more about safety code violations in Las Vegas, and if you’ve suffered an injury on a construction worksite, let’s talk about your options. Call Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers today.

The role of safety codes on construction sites

Safety codes exist to prevent injuries and save lives. Those who have spent decades advocating for strict workplace safety rules often state that “every safety rule is written in blood.” This means that the reason each rule exists is because of a death that could have been prevented by that rule. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration sets federal safety standards for construction, and it works closely with the Nevada Division of Industrial Relations to enforce these standards.

Employers and site supervisors are legally obligated to provide a safe work environment for employees and contractors under laws like OSHA. This is a significant obligation, including everything from properly maintaining all machinery and safety gear to training new employees on safety protocols and mandating the use of appropriate safety gear. Companies that ignore these rules to save time or money put their workers’ lives at risk.

Common safety code issues in Las Vegas

To understand the risks that construction workers face in Nevada, you have to look at OSHA’s “Fatal Four.” Also referred to as the Focus Four Hazards, this term refers to the four main dangers that lead to injuries in the construction industry. Those who manage workers in this industry must have thorough training on these hazards, how to prevent them, and the types of injuries they may cause.

Inadequate fall protection

Fall hazards are present at most worksites, and it’s common for construction workers to face these hazards on a daily basis. Anything that could cause a worker to lose their balance or bodily support could be a fall risk. OSHA states that a worker is at risk any time they are working at a height of four feet or more, although they generally only require fall protection in the construction industry for those working at a height of six feet or more. Common sources of fall hazards include unprotected roof edges, improper scaffold construction, and unsafe portable ladders.

Struck by objects

Another major source of construction injuries in Nevada is “struck-by” hazards. These injuries occur when someone is hit by a flying, falling, swinging, or rolling object. Potential sources of danger include heavy equipment, motor vehicles, and unbalanced loads or stacks on a construction worksite.

Electrocutions

Electrical hazards are a serious issue on construction sites across Nevada, leading to the development of the acronym BE SAFE. This refers to the different ways in which electrocution can harm construction workers: Burns, Electrocution, Shock, Arc flash/arc blast, Fire, and Explosions. Electrocutions are disproportionately represented among construction worker deaths but account for very few nonfatal injuries, highlighting just how high the stakes are when construction workers come into contact with electrical hazards.

Caught in or between hazards

This part of the Fatal Four covers injuries that occur when a worker is caught in or between objects. The most common types of injuries that fit into this category include getting caught in machinery, being buried by or in hazards, getting crushed by machinery or objects, and getting pinned between machinery and other objects.

While these are some of the most common issues affecting construction work sites across Las Vegas, they are definitely not the only ones. Safety protocols and regulations are extremely detailed in nature, specifically because there are so many ways that workers can be injured on construction sites.

Pursuing compensation after a safety code violation

After a construction injury, workers may have two main ways to seek compensation, depending on the circumstances of their accident.

Workers’ compensation

The vast majority of construction accidents are covered by workers’ compensation, which is regulated by the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Division of Industrial Relations. This allows injured employees to receive partial wage replacement and medical coverage for their injuries while they recover. The main benefit of workers’ compensation is that the injured party does not need to prove fault or negligence. Even if their own error led to their injury, workers’ compensation covers them. The downside of workers’ compensation is that it doesn’t offer full wage replacement, nor does it compensate for pain and suffering or other losses.

Third-party claims

In some cases, an injured party can seek compensation via a personal injury claim against a third party. This may be an option if someone other than your employer or a co-worker caused your injury. For example, you may have a valid claim if you were working on a roadside construction site and were hit by a negligent driver, if you were injured due to the actions of an outside contractor on your work site, or if your injuries were caused by defective equipment.

Safety cannot take a backseat to profits and timelines in Nevada’s construction industry. If you’ve been injured while working a construction job, it’s crucial that you advocate for yourself and seek the compensation you are legally entitled to.

Start your claim with Claggett & Sykes Trial Lawyers

With the help of our experienced construction accident lawyers, you can fight for fair and full compensation after an injury. Let’s talk about your accident and how we can help you. Call us today or get in touch online.