Construction Site Accidents in Manchester – Compensation Claims

From the expansion of the Etihad Stadium to the Hough End leisure centre, there have been exciting developments for construction in Manchester. Unfortunately, accidents whilst working in construction are more likely for an employee due to the practical nature of, and potential danger of this role. This is why the law places additional obligations on building and construction companies to provide training and proper equipment to their employees, to prevent construction site accidents in Manchester.

No Win, No Fee Construction Site Accident Claims

Should you have the misfortune to have an accident whilst working on a construction site, we can help. Here we explain what obligations a building firm must follow, what you must do as an employee, and specific accidents and injuries relating to the building and construction industry. Call us today for expert guidance on construction site accidents claims within Manchester.

What construction firms need to do

Just like an office or warehouse employer, a building firm also owes a duty of care to its employees. This duty of care also extends to the site manager of the construction site. As well as the general law protecting employees, people working in construction are also protected by the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. This provides certain requirements that must be met, including:

  • The provision of safe entrances and exits to all various parts of the building site
  • Thorough and regular checking of scaffolding and hoists
  • The provision of equipment necessary to work in adverse weather conditions
  • Regulation of temperature to an adequate level if the building work is done inside
  • The provision of necessary safety wear
  • The provision of WCs, washrooms and clean drinking water for employees
  • The provision of changing rooms and lockers
  • Facilities where employees can rest

In addition to other workplaces, building and construction sites must have insurance in place should unfortunate accidents occur. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforces these regulations throughout the UK.

What must I do as an employee?

As an employee, you must make sure that you wear the equipment that is provided, such as hard hats and gloves, and undertake any necessary training on equipment. It is important that you take regular breaks to prevent being injured by equipment as a result of tiredness or fatigue. If you do not do so, it may affect the amount of compensation you can claim. However, if your employer has failed to provide anything mentioned above, then you may be able to make a compensation claim.

Types of accidents relating to the building and construction industry

Apart from physical injuries that are immediately apparent, construction sites may cause problems many years later through industrial disease. Asbestos, which was commonly used as a building material in the past, can cause diseases such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that can start in the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) or the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma). Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease and no way of knowing whether you have the condition for years.

Industrial disease can also be caused by chromium, a metal which can be found in cement. Prolonged exposure can cause dermatitis and asthma. Even if you do not have these symptoms, it is a good idea to get blood and urine tests in order to make sure that you do not have low-level chromium poisoning. Often people who have low level chromium poisoning show no symptoms, so the only way of finding out if you are affected is getting tests from your GP.

Severe personal injuries to the head, spine, shoulders, or arms can occur from construction site accidents.

Claim for a Construction Site Accident in Manchester

Whether you have a physical injury or an industrial disease, we can help with our local knowledge of the Manchester building and construction industry.

Start your construction site accident claim today by calling on 01615 168 871^ and speaking to our personal injury specialists. Get in touch with us today with a no obligation discussion of your claim. We will treat your call with the utmost confidentiality. Alternatively, you can leave your details using our online form, and we can call you back.

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