Injuries at St. Louis Construction Sites – Elevator Accidents

A risk that construction workers face is that of an elevator accident.

Construction sites are among the most dangerous places to work, because of the presence of heavy equipment, moving machines, falling debris, and people working on heights. One of the risks that construction workers face is that of an elevator accident. There are various ways in which construction workers can get injured or even killed in an elevator accident.

The Risks of Working Around Elevators

Working in or around elevators can increase the risk of injury or death, especially when working near elevator shafts or on elevated surfaces. Elevators are required for completing certain types of construction work and construction workers who are required to work on or around these elevators are in danger. Injuries sustained from elevator falls are often severe and in many cases they can be catastrophic. Injuries workers can sustain in elevator accidents include:

• broken bones
• neck injuries
• brain injuries
• back injuries
• nerve damage
• spinal cord injuries

Elevator Accident Statistics

According to the statistics provided by The Census of Fatal and Occupational Injuries, around 20 people get killed in elevator or escalator accidents each year in the U.S. These fatalities include construction contractors performing installations or maintenance of these elevators.

Elevator shafts are large holes in the ground, which present a serious threat to construction workers who are at risk of falling in. An elevator shaft that is left unattended and without a proper blockade poses a serious fall hazard, especially when workers are preoccupied by another task they are performing close to the opening. When shafts are not occupied, they should be properly blocked off and marked to prevent fall accidents.

Types of Elevator Accidents

• asphyxiation from being trapped in the elevator
• struck by the elevator or counterweight
• electric shock or electrocution
• uncontrolled fall of the elevator car
• falling into the elevator shaft
• caught in the doors or other moving parts

In the absence of proper safety equipment, any worker who is working in or around an elevator shaft is at a high risk of suffering an injury. It the duty of the employer to provide protective gear such as reinforced footwear, gloves, and hard hats to workers. Workers should also have a personal fall arrest system to prevent falls when working in close proximity to elevator shafts.

Workplace Injury and Accident Causes