Under the Hard Hat

Tag: Injuries

  • How women in trades can prevent knee injuries on the job site

    How women in trades can prevent knee injuries on the job site

    Physically demanding jobs, like those in construction and the skilled trades, put a lot of stress on the knees, especially for women. Whether walking the work site to double-check blueprints or working in one of the skilled trades, your knees can take a beating. Due to hormonal differences, thinner knee tissue, lower muscle mass, and a greater range of motion, women are more likely to experience knee injuries than men. Protect your knees from tears and injuries by developing core strength, strengthening hamstring muscles, being deliberate in your movements, and maintaining a healthy weight.  

    Quick look

    • Women are more likely to experience knee injuries than men due to lower muscle mass, looser joints, hormonal fluctuations, and a wider range of motion.
    • Construction trades have higher rates of knee injury than other occupations.
    • There are several types of knee injuries, including ACL and meniscus tears, fractures, and dislocations.  
    • You can protect yourself from knee injuries by developing your core, strengthening hamstring muscles, being deliberate in your movements, and maintaining a healthy weight.  

    The facts on knee injuries

    Knee injuries are more common in women than men—in the case of torn anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs), women are between two and eight times more likely to be injured. The cause of this disparity isn’t entirely clear, but many think it comes down to crucial anatomical differences. Women generally have less muscle mass around the knee, leading to instability and increasing the likelihood of ligament tears. Women’s joints are looser and have more range of motion—a perfect recipe for knee injuries. 

    Due to additional occupational risks, women in trades may experience an even higher likelihood of knee problems. A meta-analysis of 71 studies found increased odds of knee osteoarthritis in several occupations, including building trades and construction workers. As a result, women in construction are at high risk of knee injuries.

    Types of knee injuries

    There are several knee injuries, including ACL tears, fractures, discolations, and meniscus tears. 

    • ACL injuries involve tears or sprains to the anterior cruciate ligament, which is the tissue that runs between your shinbone and thigh bone. ACL injuries often occur during sharp twists or impacts. Symptoms of an ACL injury are distinctive, typically involving a popping sensation followed by swelling, instability, and pain. ACL injuries can be graded from Type I to Type III. Type I tears are mild, where the ligament is stretched but still stable. Type II tears result in a partial tear and loose ligament. Type III ACL tears are the most common, involving a complete ligament tear and knee instability.
    • Knee fractures cause injury to the patella bones of the knee, which can cause bruising and swelling and prevent you from being able to straighten your knee. 
    • Dislocations occur when the knee joint isn’t broken but popped out of place by a blow to the knee or an abrupt change in direction. The knee will be swollen, bruised, and painful.
    • A torn meniscus is a tearing of the menisci—fibrocartilage strips in the knee. These injuries often happen after sharp pivoting or twisting movements, resulting in pain, stiffness, and swelling.    

    Why are women at a higher risk?

    Hormones like estradiol, progesterone, and relaxin fluctuate during the menstrual cycle, causing the anterior cruciate ligaments to relax and increasing the risk of ACL tears. One study showed that these hormones impact knee injuries so much that oral contraceptives can reduce the likelihood of ACL tears by up to 20%.  

    Women also typically have wider hips than men, which shifts the center of gravity, causes knees to slant inwards, and affects the knee joint, increasing the risk of injury. Women’s thinner knee tissue also increases injury risk. Thinner tissue requires less force to tear, meaning women are more likely to experience complete ACL tears even when they experience the same movements or trauma as men.

    Women’s movement patterns differ from men’s, too. Women tend to engage their quads rather than hamstrings when pivoting or jumping and have less core strength, making knees less stable and increasing reliance on the knees to absorb force.

    These factors, combined with the physical demands of construction work, make knee injuries a significant concern for women in the field. 

    4 tips to protect your knees and avoid injury

    1. Develop core strength

    Core strength increases stability throughout the whole body. By strengthening your abdominal muscles, you can prevent the types of movements likely to cause knee injuries. Building a strong core can also improve balance and reduce knee strain during physical tasks. Add exercises like planks, bird dogs, and bridges to your workout routine to build core strength and support your lower body.

    2. Strengthen your hamstrings

    Strong hamstrings are crucial for knee stability, especially in jobs that involve climbing, lifting, squatting, and kneeling. Exercises like hamstring curls, deadlifts, and glute bridges can strengthen hamstrings and help protect knees.

    3. Refine movement patterns

    Most knee injuries happen after sharp twists, heavy impacts, or jarring slips or falls. Pay attention to how you move throughout the day, especially at work. Avoid twisting or pivoting on one leg and practice proper techniques for lifting and bending. Controlled, aligned movements can significantly reduce stress on your knees and release the risk of injury.

    4. Maintain a healthy weight

    Being even 10 pounds overweight can increase the force on the knee by 30-60 pounds. This added impact adds up, especially when walking around a job site or spending the day on your feet. Carrying excess weight places added pressure on your knees, increasing the risk of injury. Focus on balanced nutrition and regular physical activity to maintain a weight that supports joint health.

    Bottom line

    Knee injuries pose a significant concern for women in construction. The first step in injury prevention is understanding these vulnerabilities, from the added risks associated with a lower center of gravity and different movement patterns to the importance of core and hamstring strength. By developing core strength, refining movement patterns, strengthening the hamstrings, and maintaining a healthy weight, women can reduce the strain on their knees and lower the risk of injury. 

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  • Which construction workplace injuries cost companies the most?

    Which construction workplace injuries cost companies the most?

    Workplace safety protocols are constantly becoming more stringent, but every year, work-related injuries and illnesses combined across U.S. businesses cost billions in losses. Overexertion, falls, and transportation injuries are just a few types of injuries that rack up worker’s compensation bills. 

    Here are 6 of the most common and expensive workplace injuries.

    Overexertion

    Overall share: 21.53%

    Cost: $12.49B per year

    Most at-risk industries: Transportation and Warehousing

    Overexertion is the most common worker injury claim in the U.S. These types of injuries often arise when excessive strain on the body is repeatedly required. Lifting heavy loads, heavy twisting movements, or repeated lifting and carrying can all lead to overexertion. If there’s equipment or a technique to reduce these types of physical strain on the job, it should be utilized. 

    Falls on the same level

    Overall share: 17.22%

    Cost: $9.99B per year

    Most at-risk industries: Transportation, Warehousing, and Agriculture

    Falls on the same level could happen in any industry, especially if there’s little regard for unattended spills. Wet floors are the biggest warning sign of potential fall injuries, so proper cleanup and PPE are crucial for any on-site team. Ensuring a clean work area and pre-design planning can also reduce the number of trips and falls.

    Falls to a lower level

    Overall share: 9.79%

    Cost: $5.68B per year

    Most at-risk industries: Transportation, Warehousing, and Agriculture

    Falls to a lower level, while more dangerous than falls on the same level, are less frequent. This is due to heavier safety precautions and more active prevention. Ladder safety, harnesses, guardrails, and marked-off areas where a fall to a lower level can occur are more common practices, leading to fewer overall claims.

    Contact with equipment and objects

    Overall share: 9.56%

    Cost: $5.55B per year

    Most at-risk industries: Any industry with heavy operating equipment

    This category broadly includes being struck, squeezed, or pinched by equipment, whether that action is performed by the worker or the machinery. Additionally, friction, pressure, or vibration between the injured and the source of the injury are included. 

    A warning sign that a worker might be at risk for this type of injury includes unsecured racks and equipment and improperly warning-labeled machinery. 

    Awkward exertions or bodily reactions

    Overall share: 6.34%

    Cost: $3.68B 

    Most at-risk industries: Transportation and Warehousing

    Improper form when moving on the job can lead to awkward exertion injuries. Unnatural lifting, twisting, climbing, and other uncommon movements may cause muscle strains or bone cracks. Climbing in and out of company vehicles can also cause injuries from a painful bodily reaction. 

    Transportation injuries

    Overall share: 4.75%

    Cost: $2.76B

    Most at-risk industries: Any industry that requires workers to operate a vehicle

    This category includes all types of vehicles, including aircraft, water, and railway vehicles, as well as all roadway and non-roadway vehicles. Additionally, if someone submits an injury claim due to working with an animal for transport, it would fall under this category. 

    Texting while driving is the most common reason a claim is filed in this category. 

    The cost of workplace injuries

    According to the Workplace Safety Index, the total cost of worker’s compensation claims was $58 billion, averaging more than $1 billion each week. 

    Trauma to the head and neck consistently ranks at the top of the list of body areas that need the most costly coverage. Because they are fragile, proper PPE should be worn, and resources on head and neck exertion should be available to everyone on the job site. 

    The bottom line

    Safety stats in the workplace ebb and flow. Equipment evolves to become safer, and better standards are introduced. Still, new hazards like cell phones and smartwatches continue to present themselves, creating a never-ending cycle of distraction and damage. 

    35% of all injury claims are from workers with less than one year on the job. Proper safety training and resources are crucial, and it’s important that each worker abide by them. 

    Organizations should also routinely involve a qualified risk control consultant to ensure each site meets safety compliance standards. 

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  • Crane safety becomes a focus for WorkSafeBC after multiple incidents

    Crane safety becomes a focus for WorkSafeBC after multiple incidents

    Jobsite safety is a huge priority for all construction companies, but WorkBC has honed in on crane safety after several incidents in Vancouver. 

    Quick look

    • Multiple crane incidents in the Vancouver area have forced WorkBC to focus on improving crane safety.
    • IUOE Local 115 manager Brian Cochrane suggests a lack of regulations in the industry is at fault for the incidents. 
    • WorkSafeBC has regulatory requirements for tower crane operation, a dedicated crane safety initiative, and an inspection team to identify and eliminate unsafe work practices and equipment hazards on job sites.
    • The Workers Compensation Act requires all BC employers to provide workers with the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure work is carried out correctly and safely when operating tower cranes.

    In late January 2024, two separate crane incidents occurred within a week of each other in the Metro Vancouver area. While no serious injuries resulted, it led to many questions about crane safety in BC, including any initiatives to improve worksite safety and what the regulatory environment looks like for cranes.

    On February 21, another crane incident happened in Vancouver—this time fatal. The load from a crane fell on a building about 25 stories up in Vancouver’s Oakridge neighborhood, killing one worker. 

    In a statement released by city Mayor Ken Sim, he said officials are committed to ensuring worker safety for everyone on construction projects in the city, and they will “continue to work diligently to prevent such tragedies in the future.”

    Three weeks before this incident, the union representing hundreds of BC crane operators issued calls for the provincial government to impose mandatory training and certification for all crane workers.

    Brian Cochrane, International Union of Operator Engineers Local 115 (IUOE Local 115) business manager, stated on January 31 that he and others were concerned about the recent spine in crane accidents, pointing the blame to the lack of regulations in the industry. 

    “We don’t know the exact cause of these incidents, but we do know in an industry with no real regulation, mandatory training or contractor licensing, these incidents keep happening,” said Cochrane, referring to the crane accidents in Surrey and Burnaby in January. “We’re glad no one was seriously hurt or killed. Today was a disruption; tomorrow it could be deadly.”

    Cochrane believes that the union needs to play a bigger role in ensuring crane operations are safe going forward. “Any efforts to improve crane safety initiatives, especially as it relates to tower crane assembly and disassembly, should involve IUOE Local 115, as we are the leading trainers and experts on crane safety.”

    Following the incidents, WorkSafeBC issued stop-use and stop-work orders at both job sites, and investigations are underway.

    WorkSafe investigation

    After the latest crane incident in Vancouver, WorkSafeBC released a statement stating that “WorkSafeBC is now actively working to understand the cause of this tragic incident, as well as any contributing factors, so that a similar incident can be prevented from happening in the future.” 

    While this is the third crane-related incident WorkSafeBC is investigating since the beginning of the year, preliminary evidence suggests “there are few, if any, similarities between the three incidents, or the equipment involved.”

    Although WorkSafeBC doesn’t suggest any links between the incidents, it’s important to remind employers “to be vigilant in ensuring the maintenance of their equipment and the safe working procedures of their staff.”

    The most recent event also comes after Kelowna RCMP stated they’ve asked B.C. prosecutors to consider criminal charges in the crane collapse in July 2021 that killed five workers.

    Crane safety

    WorkSafeBC has rigid regulatory requirements for tower crane operation, a dedicated crane safety initiative, and an inspection team that seeks to identify and eliminate unsafe work practices and equipment hazards on job sites.

    The Provincial Crane Inspection Team has extensive experience and training with tower crane operations, and the team conducts proactive risk-based inspections across the province to ensure companies effectively manage and mitigate risks.

    WorkSafeBC also works closely with BC Crane Safety to provide resources to the construction industry to ensure all users understand everything there is to know about using a tower crane—proper erection, operation, inspection, and maintenance, along with how to comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.

    Robust regulatory regime

    Under the Workers Compensation Act, all BC employers must provide workers with the necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision to ensure work is carried out correctly and safely.

    Employers must also follow specific regulations related to cranes and hoists in BC, specifically Part 14 of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (OHSR).

    • All crane operators must be qualified and certified to operate a tower crane. OHSR sections 14.34 and 14.34.1 and their related Guidelines address crane operator qualification and certification requirements.
    • Crane operator certification in BC is administered through BC Crane Safety and SkilledTradesBC.
    • Section 14.73.2 of the OHSR requires that the erection, climbing, and dismantling of any tower crane must be done by qualified persons and per manufacturer instructions; a professional engineer is also permitted if crane installation varies from the manufacturer’s instructions.

    New regulations that came into effect March 1, 2023, specify that any tower crane working in proximity to high voltage electrical equipment, or tower cranes with overlapping operating zones, must be ‘equipped with and operated under the control of a zone-limiting device with anti-collision control.’ The regulations also specify the following with regard to maintenance and repairs:

    Any repair to load bearing components of a crane or hoist must be certified by a professional engineer or the original equipment manufacturer as having returned the component to a condition capable of carrying out its original design function with an adequate margin of safety.

    While efforts to improve crane and worker safety are ongoing, it’s important to acknowledge that continuous improvement is required. 

    OHSR does not currently require employers to submit a Notice of Project for tower crane erection, climbing, repositioning, and dismantling. However, a regulatory amendment is underway that will require employers to submit a Notice of Project before any of these activities can be performed.

    As with any field in construction, staying vigilant about safety hazards and improving safety standards is crucial. WorkSafeBC, in partnership with industry stakeholders and worker groups, will continue to improve and advance safety initiatives and regulatory measures to ensure job site safety.