Construction Site Accidents: Brain Injuries

The construction industry is one of the top three industries that accounts for the largest number of work related traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

The construction industry is one of the largest providers of employment in almost all of the U.S. states. Due to the nature of the work, however, construction workers are more likely than any other workers to get injured on the jobsite. In 2013, for instance, 796 out of 4,000 fatal occupational injuries were caused by construction site accidents. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the construction industry is among the most dangerous industries in the U.S. It is no wonder that construction workers continue to remain concerned about their safety in the workplace.

Head injuries are a common result of construction accidents. In fact, the construction sector is one of the top three industries that accounts for largest number of work related traumatic brain injuries (TBI), according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. The four leading causes of fatal construction site accidents include falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and caught-in/between. Unfortunately, each of them may cause head injuries or TBIs. For instance, construction workers often need to work at great heights; therefore, fall hazards are common on most construction sites. Similarly, being struck by a falling or rolling object, being pulled into running machinery, and contact with electricity are quite commonplace accidents. Even when a construction worker survives a severe head injury, the delayed effects could be life-threatening. Let’s take a look at the possible effects a TBI.

Permanent Mental Illness

In most cases, TBIs occur due to a sudden, heavy blow or bump to the head that interrupts the normal functioning of the brain, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The human brain is a complex biological structure, consisting of around hundred billion cells, each with thousands of synapses, and roughly around three hundred trillion connections linking the neo-cortex to different parts of the brain. A traumatic brain injury may affect any of those cells or connections and may disturb the brain’s normal functions. This may eventually cause memory loss, behavioral changes, physical disabilities, and personality disorders. Depending on the severity of the injury, the treatment of a brain injury may take months or years. While most of the head injuries are curable, some injuries may trigger permanent side effects, such as speech problems, seizures, lack of co-ordination and confusion.