Most professionals understand that working in construction comes with a degree of risk. Professionals in the construction sector often work at an elevation or below grade. They have to handle equipment that can injure them if it malfunctions or they make a mistake. They also have to work in close proximity to heavy equipment.
Construction workers can easily get hurt on the job. In some cases, they may even sustain deadly injuries. They often receive competitive wages and benefits in exchange for the dangerous, demanding work they do. While professionals may assume that they can keep themselves safe, they may be at more risk than they realize.
When looking at a recent analysis of construction fatalities, it becomes quite clear that one group has far more risk than any other demographic on modern construction sites. Who needs to be the most proactive about safety in the construction sector?
Hispanic workers are especially vulnerable
Those pursuing blue-collar jobs develop specialized skills and perform arduous physical labor for their employers. Some groups of people are more likely to accept lower wages and hazardous working conditions, which likely affects the reported fatality rates at construction sites.
In a shocking analysis, the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries found that the death rate among Hispanic construction workers more than doubled between 2011 and 2022. In 2022, there were 408 reported fatalities, which represents a 107.1% increase.
Workers of every other race saw fatalities increase by 16.5% during the same time. The total number of fatalities among workers of non-Hispanic workers was 679 in 2022. This staggering disparity highlights discrepancies in employment practices.
Factors including language barriers, a lack of familiarity with safety regulations and questionable employment practices may all contribute to the risk that Hispanic professionals experience at modern construction sites. When construction professionals experience work incidents, they may need a leave of absence and medical care. In the worst-case scenario, they die prematurely, leaving their families without support.
Both workers’ compensation and civil litigation can be viable sources of support for those affected by construction site work incidents. Reviewing the circumstances surrounding a construction work injury with a skilled legal team can help the people affected explore their options for financial support.