Construction in Australia one of one of the most dangerous industries to work in Study Shows
A study conducted by Safe Work Australia over the course of 13 years found that construction workers are up to 4x more likely to be unable to work for a significant length of time following injury than workers in other industries, indicating the more serious nature of injuries sustained in this sector.
If you work in construction, we’ve listed some of the basic questions for construction site injuries in Brisbane and the Gold Coast that we get asked.
What Is Defined As A Construction Site Injury?
A construction site injury is generally a work-related injury for people employed in the industry.
This could be across heavy and civil engineering, construction services, or building construction, along with some smaller categories of sub-services.
Examples of the types of injuries sustained are:
- Cuts/open wounds
- Sprains/strains
- Chronic joint or muscle conditions
- Fractures
What Types Of Injuries On Construction Sites in QLD Can I Claim For?
A vareity of injuries can be claimed for, and feel free to ask us if unsure, however some of the most common work injuries in Brisbane and the Gold Coast are:
- Falling from scaffolding or ladders
- Collapsed scaffolding
- Trips & slips
- crushing injuries when material may fall from above
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Not wearing protective gear
- Electric shocks and burns
The injuries occur in a variety of ways, but can be caused by activities or incidents like falls, pushing or pulling an object, or hitting/being hit by an object.
What is the likelihood of sustaining an injury in construction?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics regularly conducts a Work-Related Injury Survey, which includes breakdowns of occupation groups and injuries.
The ABS states: “The occupation groups with the highest rates of people who experienced a work-related injury or illness were ‘Machinery operators and drivers’ (88 per 1,000 employed persons), ‘Community and personal service workers’ (73 per 1,000 employed persons), ‘Technicians and trades workers’ (72 per 1,000 employed persons) and ‘Labourers’ (66 per 1000 employed persons).”
Three out of these four listed could fall under construction, contributing towards it being known as a high-risk industry.
I’ve Been Injured On A Work Site In Brisbane, The Gold Coast Or QLD, What Do I Do Next?
Every employer should clearly outline proper policies surrounding injuries and make that information freely and easily available to every employee.
These policies will generally relate to timely reporting of injuries to a person in authority, filling out some sort of incident record, and seeking medical help and obtaining a certificate.
The simplest thing to do is to speak to a legal professional who specialises in workplace injuries. We don’t charge to review your claim and we are backed by a no win no fee guarantee so you have nothing to lose with at least knowing where you stand by asking us a question.
What If I Am Injured On A Work Site In QLD, But Am Self-Employed?
It is important to note that construction does have a high rate of self-employed workers, who typically have different processes to follow than individuals who are employed by a business.
Compensation will generally need to be addressed with the insurance provider in these cases.
Of course Personal safety regardless of who employs you is something that should be a high priority on any work site. Always take note that you;
- Follow all worksite rules and procedures
- Wear correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Stay alert and aware of surroundings
- Avoid substances that can affect cognitive ability or reaction times
- Report damage or wear to equipment promptly to the relevant authority
Construction site injuries have been shown to have a higher incidence of serious injuries causing workers to be off the job for one week or more.
It is vital to follow all relevant rules and regulations, and to seek medical help if you suspect any sort of injury.
Claims Have Time Limits
There is only a small window in which you can make compensation claims in Queensland
Even if you think your actions may have contributed to your injury, you may still have a claim well-worth pursuing
Just press the button below, there is no cost, and no obligation to review your case
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