What Time of the Day Do Most Construction Injuries Occur?
One shift is more prone to construction accidents than others
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 44 fatal work injuries in Mississippi in 2020 (the most recent information available), which represents a decrease from the previous year. In the entire U.S., there were a total of 4,764 fatal work injuries, which was also a decrease when compared to 2019.
Despite this and increasing efforts to ensure safe work conditions on construction sites, construction injuries still happen far too often on job sites throughout the nation. And according to a recent study from Oregon State University, time of day can actually play a role in construction accidents that result in injury.
Studies show more accidents happen at night
The Oregon State University study looked at more than 12,000 workers’ compensation claims from the state’s construction industry. The claims occurred from 2007 to 2013 and included work injuries and/or illnesses that caused workers to:
- miss at least three days of work
- be hospitalized overnight
- experience permanent disability or death
Findings published by Safety+Health magazine concluded that construction workers are more likely to get injured and suffer more severe injuries during the night shift, rather than during the day shift.
According to the article, “the frequency of injuries increased in each of the first four hours of a shift and peaked during the fourth hour.”
In another study from PubMed Central, researchers found the same results. There is an elevated risk of work-related injury or illness for construction workers in the evening and night compared to during the day.
Why do work injuries happen more at night?
About 25 percent of full-time workers in North America work at night, and while working the night shift can mean higher wages, it can also be dangerous. Researchers say a lack of workplace supervision and organization can lead to some workers taking unnecessary risks and failing to follow proper safety procedures.
Other potential factors include leniency with mandatory rest and meal breaks during the night shift, which can lead to worker fatigue—something that many night shift workers already struggle with due to being up all night.
Fatigue can cause a worker to make poor decisions and make it harder to concentrate. On a construction site with heavy machinery, power tools, fall hazards, and other dangers, fatigue increases the risk of a construction accident that results in severe injury or death.
Talk to a construction accident lawyer if you've been injured on the job
Construction injuries can be devastating and affect not just the injured worker, but the worker's loved ones as well. Regardless of whether you work during the day or the night, if you are a construction worker in Mississippi and you were injured on the job, you may be entitled to workers' compensation benefits.
The workers' compensation process in Mississippi can be difficult and confusing to understand, so it is key that you contact an experienced workers' compensation lawyer to go over your legal rights and options.
At Tabor Law Firm, P.A., we provide personalized attention to our clients so we can help them navigate the process. We know what it takes to get results. Contact us today for a free consultation. Our law firm is based in Ridgeland, and we serve injured workers throughout Mississippi.