BACKHOE CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS

Heavy Equipment Accidents

Every year, there are a significant number of accidents that occur at construction sites in Corpus Christi, Texas. Due to their nature, when these backhoe construction accidents happen, they will usually involve serious injuries and even fatalities. Individuals should understand how these kinds of accidents happen and also critical details involved.

Backhoe Dangers

One of the most common types of construction equipment at building sites are Backhoes. Their operators must follow strict safety procedures, as failure to do so can place both the operator and other workers in the area at serious risk. Overloading backhoes is a common problem – they have specific weight and dimension requirements for their use, but when they are overloaded, any excessive weight can create a situation of instability of the unit, which can cause serious accidents. Unfortunately, even when construction site workers take all precautions, accidents can still happen.

Common ways in which workers are injured by backhoes include being hit by the moving machine, swinging booms, or other machine components. Backhoes have been known to cause injury or death due to slides into trenches, rollovers during sharp turns, or on uneven or steep slopes. There are reports of serious harm caused by electrocution (Due to underground or overhead power cables), and not surprisingly, defective or poorly maintained equipment.

Backhoe Safety

To avoid being injured or killed in a backhoe accident, there are a number of precautions that can be followed.

• Before operating any backhoe, the operator should thoroughly inspect it. Proper maintenance will maximize the equipment’s performance.
• Seat Belts. An operator should always wear their seat belts because if they are not properly secured, they can fall out of the machine.
• Be Aware of Dangers. Backhoes are always at a high risk of becoming caught up in power lines or trees. Operators should carefully review their surroundings before operating any equipment.
• Safety Zone. Create a safety zone around the backhoe, and do not operate the equipment when other workers are in the working are, because the machine can move in unexpected ways and strike them.

Who is at fault for a construction accident?

Anyone worker who has been involved in a construction accident, no matter how serious, knows how painful and expensive it can be. Sometimes it is hard to determine who is really at fault, and therefore who will be responsible for medical expenses and covering lost income during recovery. That is usually the last thing on the victim’s mind but it is the most important aspect since it can determine his/her future quality of life.

Source: https://mrpersonalinjurylawyer.com/construction-accidents-backhoes/