FACTS

Injuries Skeleton Steel Workers Suffer on The Job:

• Falls: Falling is one of the most prevalent dangers to ironworkers. If working several feet above the ground, ironworkers run the risk of losing their balance, slipping, or tripping and falling.
• Amputations: Metal shears used to cut iron or steel can result in catastrophic amputation injuries. Faulty power tools can also cause severe laceration injuries that could lead to amputations.
• Head injuries: Falls often result in head injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or concussions.
• Broken bones: Fractures or broken bones are common injuries suffered by construction workers who fall. In some cases, broken bone injuries can become career threatening.
• Burn injuries: Steel workers do a lot of welding on the job; they face the risk of suffering burn injuries. In addition, sparks that fly into eyes can cause serious damage or even loss of vision. Ironworkers are required to wear protective goggles, clothing and gloves to prevent these types of injuries.
• Muscle injuries: Steelworkers are required to move heavy objects and equipment. Lifting and bending can lead to strained muscles or back injuries.
• Struck-by injuries: Steelworkers can also become injured as a result of being struck by objects.
• Impalement: There is the danger of workers getting impaled on unguarded ends of rebar or on forklift tines.

STATS

• Structural iron and steel workers ranked ninth on the list with 18 total fatal occupational injuries in 2019—an improvement from last year’s report citing the group having ranked sixth on the list with 15 total fatal occupational injuries in 2018.
• Its fatal injury rate was 27 % workers. The most common events or exposures leading to injury were falls, slips, and trips.
• Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were over 58,000 structural iron and steelworkers in the U.S.
• OSHA reported 16 injuries incurred when working with steel in 2019. These injuries, as with previous years, were primarily caused by falling steel parts crushing and/or striking workers, as well as workers falling from platforms while working with steel.
• About 44 % were employed in the foundation, structure and building exterior contractors’ industry and about 23 % were employed in non-residential building construction.