The 5 Most Common Injuries For General Contractors
DOES YOUR CONTRACTOR INSURANCE COVER THESE COMMON INJURIES?
Danger is the name of the game for contractors, so contractor insurance is a must have. Hence, it doesn’t matter what kind of contractor you are, working on a construction site is risky business. But you already know this. The fact is, as businesses grow presenting bigger and better projects, many business owners forget to adjust their liability insurance to cover new risks.
Here’s a reminder of 5 of the most common injuries that have resulted in lawsuits for contractors. Moreover, without adequate contractors insurance, these common injuries could have resulted in serious financial trouble.
- Falling from Heights
Accidents and injuries associated with falling from heights constitute one of the most common injuries for contractors. This is often as a result of unsecured and unstable ladders and scaffolds.
Additionally, roofing experts working at heights without harnesses risk such fatal falling accidents. Depending on the height from the ground, these accidents may result in death, paralysis and bone fracture, among other injuries.
However, your employees are not covered by your contractors insurance for these injuries.
- Falling Objects
Working on tall buildings may necessitate the use of scaffolds, pulleys, and cranes among other equipment. During such operations at higher floors, materials and tools may occasionally drop, thereby accidentally injuring a site visitor below it.
Injuries resulting from falling objects may result in head and brain injuries, paralysis or death despite wearing hardhats. Of course, the extent of the injury all depends on the size and weight of the falling object, as well as the height from which it falls.
When these accidents harm a third party, your contractors insurance policy will provide coverage for bodily injury.
- Excavation Falls & Collapse
Deep excavation pits and trenches pose a major risk to contractors on sites. Without demarcations and warning signs, it is very easy for a contractor to drop into deep trenches and pits on a busy site.
Furthermore, prepare against trench collapse, as is also a high-risk hazard. If the weak walls of a deep excavation pit are not sloped, or supported by planking and strutting, they risk collapsing and burying workers inside the pit.
Treat deep excavation trenches and pits as dangerous. Accidents related to deep excavation falls and collapses may lead to bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, dislocation of joints, or even death.
Your contractors insurance will not cover your workers for these injuries. However, should the client receive an injury, your contractors general liability insurance will provide cover.
- Long-term Exposure Health hazards
The long-term exposure to some conditions on construction sites may have serious health implications for contractors. Exposure to dusty construction sites, for instance, may lead to respiratory complications and impaired vision. Excessive vibrations from hand tools may weaken the muscle control; and long-term exposure to excessive noise often causes Tinnitus which is the constant ringing of the ears. For welders, eye impairment is a possible implication due to excessive light.
Here again, this insurance will not cover your workers for these injuries.
- Plant and Equipment Related Injuries
Many accidents can happen during the use of plant and equipment on site. These may be caused by mishandling, negligence, lack of expertise, lack of training on the use of new equipment, using mechanical equipment without protection or safety guards, or simply an equipment malfunction.
These accidents may lead to cuts and grazes, paralysis, lacerations, amputations or even death, depending on the equipment.
You may have been led to believe that general liability insurance is sufficient risk management for these injuries to your employees. This is incorrect. General liability insurance does not cover employee injuries.
Contractor Insurance Alone Does Not Protect Your Employees
General liability insurance covers contractors against claims made by third parties for any damage that they or their employees may have caused. It usually covers bodily injury, property damage and medical payments for the third party.
However, Workers Compensation is the insurance you need to protect your employees when they are hurt on the job. To find out more about adjusting your contractor insurance to cover your employees, contact our expert insurance agents at Contractors Liability. Call us at (866) 225-1950
