With 818 fatal injuries in 2013—a whopping 19 percent of all workplace fatalities in the United States—construction once again proves itself to be one of the most dangerous fields to work in.

The potential dangers of construction are not news. What is news is the particular danger posed to a subset of construction employees: contract workers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal injuries to contract workers are on the rise. In 2012, contract workers suffered 15 percent of all workplace fatalities. That number rose to 17 percent in 2013 (the most recent year for which such data is available). Injuries were caused by:

• Being struck by objects, equipment, or vehicles (39 percent)
• Falls to a lower level (31 percent)
• Electrocution (7 percent)

These three hazard categories impact contract workers more than other workers—and half of the deceased contract workers worked in construction and extraction occupations.

Contract workers often don’t receive the same amount or quality of training as other employees. Since contract workers also often work in higher-risk occupations, such as construction, they are poised for injury. If your company makes use of contract workers, be sure that they are thoroughly trained, and that they are well integrated into your workplace for their own safety—and the safety of your other employees.

ContractorHelpers.com is a service of Insurance Partners, Inc., which has been providing quality protection for contractors for more than 35 years. California contractors insurance specialists work with companies on everything from California general liability and California workers compensation insurance to contractor bonds and a “pay as you sell” liability insurance program designed especially for homebuilders. If you have questions about your contractor insurance coverage, contact us.