St. Louis Workmens Compensation – Carpenters at Risk for Injury

Carpenters are faced with several work-related hazards that increase the risk for injury.

Carpentry is among the largest trades in the U.S. Approximately 40 percent of carpenters work as independent contractors and 60 percent are employed in residential or commercial construction companies. Carpenters are faced with several work-related hazards that increase the risk for injury. (Read – United Brotherhood of Carpenters Workers Comp)

Types of Carpentry Occupations

Carpentry involves much more than just pounding nails into wood. Carpenters work with different types of materials in a variety of industries and are exposed to different types of work environments. In addition to construction, a number of other industries require the skills of a carpenter.

• Residential carpenter – Residential carpenters are engaged in home building jobs or residential remodeling jobs. These carpenters are involved in jobs that include building or fixing everything within a house – the walls, floors, cabinets, and outside decks.
• Commercial carpenter – Commercial carpenters undertake jobs that involve carpentry work in schools, hospitals, and commercial complexes. Their job is not restricted to wood use and often work with a number of materials such as steel frames, wall compartments, and cement molds.
• Industrial carpenter – Industrial carpenters are employed for jobs in public project works such as building bridges, tunnel bracing, and scaffolding. These carpenters are often involved in large scale projects that use varied materials.

Carpentry-Related Injuries

Carpenters are exposed to a number of on-the-job risks. They deal with different types of hazardous environments, making their jobs more challenging.

• Fall-related injuries – In 2010, falls from elevated heights resulted in more than 10,000 injuries and 255 fatalities in the construction industry.
• Power tools – Emergency rooms see more than 37,000 victims with injuries from the use of nail guns every year. Circular saws are another tool that can prove to be hazardous for a carpenter.
• Falling objects – Carpenters are exposed to the risks of injury from falling objects from construction debris, falling material, and equipment. (Learn more – Contact with Objects and Equipment Injury)

Independent Contractors

Without workers’ compensation benefits, treating a severe injury can become a heavy financial burden. Independent contractors who are self-employed face a challenge when it comes to filing work comp claims. Employed carpenters are usually covered under workers’ compensation law. However, determining legal options for an independent contractor can be a challenging considering that they are self-employed.

Workers & Industry