Have you ever seen a team maneuver a cube of bricks, bundle of rebar, or pallet of materials through a crowded construction zone?
It looks routine. Almost boring.
But here’s the thing…
Manual handling/material moving (with equipment) is one of the most hazardous tasks across all of construction. It occurs countless times each day on almost every jobsite in the nation.
Statistics prove that theory correct. The CDC found that nearly 90 percent of construction positions involve manual material handling for at least half of each work shift.
A lot of lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. And each one has great potential for injury.
OK, now what if something goes wrong? Lots of stuff – and it typically happens quickly, with nearly no advanced notice. One moment a worker is transporting a heavy object throughout the yard; the next they’ve dropped to the ground.
Broken bones. Crushed limbs. Spinal damage. When a load slips, a forklift tips over or a delivery truck backs into a worker the results can be devastating. These are not minor bruises and cuts. These injuries can alter the course of your life. That’s why many injured workers contact a car accident lawyer or experienced Minneapolis injury lawyers to learn about their rights after a serious workplace accident.
So why is something so common still so risky? Here’s the breakdown.
What you’ll take away:
- Why Material Handling Is So Risky
- The Most Common Material Handling Injuries
- Smart Ways to Stay Safe on the Job
- When Legal Help Makes Sense
What Makes Material Handling So Dangerous?
When most people imagine hazards on construction sites they think of towering cranes and wobbly scaffolding. Okay, fine. Those are terrifying.
But the real, everyday danger?
It’s the simple act of moving stuff from point A to point B.
Material handling covers a ton of different tasks, including:
- Lifting heavy bags, boards, and bricks
- Carrying tools and gear across the site
- Pushing and pulling loaded carts
- Operating forklifts and pallet jacks
- Loading and unloading delivery trucks
Every single one of these tasks either stresses your body or positions you directly in front of heavy moving objects. Do that once and you’ll likely be okay. Do that hundreds of times per day for years? Expect something to start wearing down.
And the data is clear…
According to OSHA, manual material handling is responsible for more injury claims than any other job task. What’s even more staggering, four out of five of those injuries are to the lower back. That stat should be every site manager’s wakeup call.
The Most Common Material Handling Injuries
So what actually goes wrong out there? Here’s a closer look.
Overexertion and Back Strain
This is the big one.
Lifting too-heavy loads, twisting motions while carrying, and repeated motions throughout the workday can injure your muscles, joints, and spinal discs. The injuries that result-sprains, strains, slipped discs and other musculoskeletal disorders-can cause pain for years.
What’s frightening is how insidious these injuries are. A worker can feel “okay” for weeks… even months. One wrong lift can sideline them for weeks. NIOSH estimates that one third to one half of all workplace injuries are due to overexertion — just how widespread is this problem.
Struck-By and Caught-In Accidents
Here’s where things get really serious.
When you hear material handling, think of heavy objects moving — with people standing nearby. Some typical (and frightening) situations include:
- A load swings loose from a crane or hoist
- A tall stack of materials topples over
- A forklift pins a worker against a wall or vehicle
- A delivery truck strikes someone during unloading
These types of accidents result in crush injuries, broken bones, and even death. And since many involve vehicles they resemble the cases a car accident lawyer sees daily.
Smart Ways to Stay Safe on the Job
Now for the good news. Most of these injuries are completely preventable.
You also don’t need expensive equipment or a large budget, by the way. All you really need are good habits and some forethought. Here’s what helps the most.
Train Workers the Right Way
Proper lifting technique sounds basic… but most injuries happen because someone skipped the fundamentals.
Workers should be taught to:
- Bend at the knees, not the waist
- Keep the load close to the body
- Avoid twisting while carrying
- Ask for help with awkward or heavy loads
A short, regular refresher beats one boring orientation video every time.
Use Mechanical Aids
Why lift by hand when a machine can do it for you?
Forklifts, hand trucks, hoists and pallet jacks lift the load off the body and reduce injury. The downside? Employees must learn to use them properly. After all, a forklift with an untrained operator is just another hazard waiting to happen.
Keep the Site Clean and Clear
A cluttered job site is an accident waiting to happen.
Slidesheets, loose cables, obstacles in walkways make an easy carry into a messy trip-and-fall. Keep walkways clear, identify routes, store materials correctly. Easy-peasy.
When Legal Help Makes Sense
Sometimes, even with every safety step in place, accidents still happen.
They may recover from an injury, but medical bills pile up, wages are lost, and recovery can take months. Someone injured by defective equipment, a reckless driver or an unsafe workplace shouldn’t bear that financial burden alone.
That’s where speaking to an automobile accident attorney or personal injury lawyer can come in handy. They can help determine fault, handle insurance companies, and advocate for your rightful settlement.
Don’t dilly-dally either. The sooner you reach out, the easier it is to preserve your claim.
Putting It All Together
Material handling will never go out of style on a construction site. There’s simply no way to build anything without moving materials around, lifting them, or carrying them daily.
But “dangerous” doesn’t have to mean “inevitable.”
Most material handling injuries can be prevented by proper training, proper equipment, and a clean and orderly work site. However, if an accident occurs, knowing your legal rights can help your family.
A quick recap before you go:
- Material handling is risky because it’s constant and physically demanding
- Overexertion and struck-by accidents cause the most harm
- Training, mechanical aids, and a tidy site prevent most injuries
- A car accident lawyer can help when someone else is at fault
Stay safe out there — because no paycheck is worth your health.