When people compare massive construction sites with smaller building projects (e.g., cabins, pin-up houses, tiny houses, sheds, etc.), they automatically assume it’s less dangerous because there are fewer workers involved, the structures are simpler, the build times are shorter, and there’s generally less risk.
But that isn’t really true. Whether the risk is lower or greater is open for discussion, but the fact remains that injuries still happen, regardless of the size of the construction project.
And if you suffer an injury during any such building project, questions about responsibility and workers’ compensation become as relevant as they’d be in a larger project. After all, healing isn’t free, and if the site isn’t properly prepared, or it doesn’t follow protocol/safety procedures, then you know the chance of something bad happening increases greatly.
On small building projects, you’ll see accidents occur due to poor material handling, any work done on elevation, during electrical installations, while building a foundation, when power tools and/or heavy machinery are being used – things like that. This risk is amplified when you factor in all the unstable/uneven ground, which is sometimes present at construction sites (big and small).
In this article, we’ll go over what you can do if you suffer an accident on a small building project so that you end up fairly compensated.
How to Ensure Workplace Safety on Small Building Projects?
Before we get into all the legal stuff, let’s first see how we can prevent injuries from happening in the first place.
Small building projects involve almost all of the same hazards you’d find at a larger construction site. But people usually don’t think that way, because it’s a small project, so there’s no way it could be THAT dangerous, right?
But in some aspects, small projects trump large ones in terms of danger. Think about it – limited space, lots of workers in this limited space, there’s often uneven/unstable terrain, multiple tasks overlapping (in limited space), etc., can greatly increase the chance of an incident happening. Plus, the usual risks still apply (e.g., material handling, tools, work at a height, electrical installations, operating machinery).
One of the many common sources of risk on small building projects comes from using heavy machinery, such as forklifts, to unload materials and position them throughout the worksite. You’ll also see them being used for debris removal mid-project or at later stages.
Despite all the training and safety protocols, injuries do happen due to equipment errors, human mistakes, or inadequate training. Injuries that usually happen when using a forklift are broken bones and fractures, brain damage, internal injuries, and more. Each and every one of these could have life-altering consequences for the victim.
Handling a forklift is not like driving a car or any other vehicle, and for every vehicle, there are different rules.
On smaller construction sites – such as when you’re building a pin-up house – there’s (usually) limited space, and uneven ground might limit where or how the forklift moves. This is why safe operation is even more critical when you have people and dangerous machines working in such close proximity. And this is actually very common on small residential-style builds because of all the space constraints.
Number one priority is safety, so in order to ensure safety when handling a forklift, you can’t allow others to climb the forks – and yes, that happens more often than you might think; e.g., when trying to climb up to the roof, or climbing onto a delivery truck.
All this seems innocent enough, until it isn’t.
Legal Steps and Recovery After a Small Construction Project Accident
If a construction-related injury still happens, it’s very important to handle it the right way.
On small building projects – cabins, pin-up houses, sheds, etc. – if you followed all the rules and safety protocols and the accident wasn’t your fault, you can file a claim and seek compensation for construction-related back injury issues, fractures, head injuries, nerve damage, soft-tissue injuries, and pretty much any other work-related accidents caused by falls, manual labor, heavy equipment/tools.
And even though the project is considered ‘small’, the legal process that follows closely mirrors what applies on larger sites, and the consequences are very real for everyone involved.
That’s also the reason why it’s best to hire a lawyer specialized in workplace injuries who’ll guide you on how to file a claim. When an injury happens, it is crucial to gather all the necessary evidence, such as photographs, witness statements, and medical records, that will support the claim you filed.
That way, you can leave the lawyers to deal with negotiating with the company and winning a case, and you can focus on healing from the injury.
Compensation is intended to protect employees, and insurance companies will try to minimize the amount of compensation, which is why legal action is essential.
Conclusion
Construction injuries (small building project or not) can cause serious emotional, physical, and financial consequences.
Knowing how to operate machines and tools and following safety standards can minimize the risk of injury. If the injury happens, it is crucial to seek compensation from the company to ensure proper medical care, financial recovery, and physical and psychological therapy.
This is why legal guidance can be extremely helpful and ensure that the victims can focus on their emotional well-being without unnecessary stress.
