Despite countless Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations, construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in America. Every year, thousands of construction workers suffer life-changing injuries or lose their lives because companies and contractors fail to follow these basic safety rules.
Many of these tragedies could have been prevented. OSHA sets mandatory standards for workplace safety, yet far too many construction companies cut corners, rush deadlines, or ignore violations. The results are predictable. Catastrophes happen, and workers and their families have the right to hold those responsible accountable.
The Role of OSHA in Construction Safety
OSHA is the federal agency responsible for enforcing safety standards on job sites. Its mission is simple: to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for every worker in the country.
For construction, OSHA’s regulations are found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926, which covers everything from fall protection to scaffolding safety and electrical hazards. Employers and site managers are legally required to comply with these rules. When they don’t, workers are put at serious risk, and those violations can be used as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit.
The “Fatal Four” Construction Hazards
According to OSHA, the majority of fatal construction accidents are caused by what it calls the “Fatal Four”—four types of hazards that, year after year, lead to the highest number of deaths:
- Falls (from heights, scaffolding, or ladders)
- Struck-by accidents (falling tools, equipment, or vehicles)
- Electrocutions
- Caught-in or caught-between accidents (machinery or collapsing structures)
Together, these account for more than half of all construction-related deaths in the U.S.
Common OSHA Violations That Cause Catastrophic Construction Accidents
Lack of Fall Protection (29 CFR §1926.501)
Falls are the leading cause of death in construction. OSHA requires employers to provide fall protection systems like guardrails, safety nets, and personal fall arrest systems for workers exposed to falls of six feet or more.
Common violations include:
- No guardrails or safety harnesses on rooftops or scaffolding.
- Workers climbing ladders without proper equipment.
- Unprotected floor openings or unmarked edges.
When employers fail to provide fall protection or adequate training, workers can suffer catastrophic injuries, including spinal cord damage, brain trauma, or death.
Unsafe Scaffolding (29 CFR §1926.451)
Scaffolding must be designed, built, and inspected to hold at least four times its intended load. Yet violations are widespread, from missing planks and unsecured platforms to lack of guardrails.
Typical examples include:
- Erecting scaffolds on unstable foundations.
- Failing to secure scaffolding to the structure.
- Overloading platforms with materials or workers.
- Allowing untrained workers to assemble or use scaffolds.
Poor Communication About Hazards (29 CFR §1926.59 / §1910.1200)
Employers must have a Hazard Communication Program, including labels, data sheets, and worker training on dangerous materials. Failure to do so puts workers at risk of burns, respiratory injuries, or chemical exposure.
In many cases, construction workers are never told about the substances they’re working around or how to handle them safely. When toxic exposure leads to chronic illness or fatal conditions, employers may be held liable for failing to provide the required warnings and training.
Failure to Control Electrical Hazards (29 CFR §1926.416)
Because construction sites are filled with electrical risks that include live wires, temporary power lines, and heavy machinery, OSHA requires employers to:
- Identify and de-energize live circuits.
- Provide proper grounding.
- Prohibit unqualified workers from handling electrical work.
When these rules are ignored, electrocution and burn injuries are common. Many victims suffer lifelong disabilities or fatal injuries because a supervisor failed to follow basic lockout/tagout procedures.
Unsafe Excavations and Trenching (29 CFR §1926.651 / §1926.652)
Trenching and excavation work is especially dangerous. OSHA mandates protective systems like sloping, shoring, or trench boxes for trenches five feet deep or more.
Violations often include:
- Failing to inspect trenches before work begins.
- Allowing workers to enter unprotected trenches.
- Ignoring soil stability or weather conditions.
Cave-ins can occur without warning, burying workers under thousands of pounds of soil. These accidents are almost always preventable with proper safety measures.
Lack of Head, Eye, and Face Protection (29 CFR §1926.100 / §1926.102)
Construction workers are required to wear protective gear such as hard hats, safety glasses, and face shields in hazardous environments.
When employers fail to enforce PPE (personal protective equipment) requirements, workers are left vulnerable to falling objects, chemical splashes, or sparks. Injuries sustained from these accidents can result in blindness, skull fractures, or disfigurement.
Improper Use of Ladders (29 CFR §1926.1053)
Ladders may seem simple, but OSHA consistently lists ladder violations among the top causes of serious injuries. Common OSHA violations involving ladders include:
- Using damaged or makeshift ladders.
- Failing to secure ladders properly.
- Overreaching or overloading.
- Allowing untrained workers to use ladders incorrectly.
A single misstep caused by employer negligence can lead to devastating head or spinal injuries.
Employer Liability for OSHA Violations
Employers and site managers are legally obligated to create and maintain a safe work environment. Under New York Labor Law §200, §240 (“Scaffold Law”), and §241, property owners, contractors, and supervisors can be held responsible when safety violations cause injury or death.
Violating OSHA regulations subjects companies to federal penalties and can also serve as evidence of negligence in a civil lawsuit. If a worker is injured or killed due to noncompliance, their family has the right to seek compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable?
Depending on the circumstances, several parties may share responsibility, including:
- General contractors who fail to enforce safety protocols.
- Subcontractors who ignore OSHA standards.
- Property owners who overlook known hazards.
- Equipment manufacturers whose defective products cause injuries.
You Can Hold Construction Companies Accountable
At Morelli Law Firm, we’ve represented countless workers and families whose lives were shattered by preventable construction accidents. We understand the pain, grief, and financial hardship that follow a catastrophic injury or wrongful death, and we know how to hold negligent companies accountable.
Our construction accident attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience and have recovered billions of dollars for victims of construction site negligence. We work with safety experts and investigators to uncover OSHA violations and prove how carelessness caused your loss.
