Pretty much all work associated with construction is dangerous and can lead to employees being injured in workplace accidents. While drywall installation may seem safer than other jobs—like roofing, crane operation, and demolition—it can pose a safety risk to workers who can suffer back, shoulder, neck, or finger injuries or more serious damage, such as traumatic brain injuries. Many of these laborers work for non-subscriber employers who have opted out of the workers’ compensation program, so they are not eligible for workers’ comp benefits if they must take time off work to recover. However, they can still hold their employers responsible for compensating them for their lost wages, medical bills, and more—with the help of an experienced workplace accident attorney.
Common Ways Employees Are Injured When Installing Drywall
The tasks associated with drywall installation can cause workers to become hurt when their employers fail to implement safety measures to prevent injuries from happening. Reasons workers are injured on the job include:
Forceful repetitive motions.
Drywall installers perform many heavy, repetitive motions, like lifting, cutting, taping, and sanding all day long. This can cause strain and injuries to their muscles and joints in their backs and hands—sometimes with limitations on what work and day-to-day activities they can perform.
Heavy lifting while bending.
Drywall can be heavy and lifting while bending can result in workers suffering serious back strains and sprains and injuries to their spinal discs that could require lengthy physical therapy, medication, and surgery.
Awkward positions.
Drywall installers often work in awkward positions that put a strain on their joints, tendons, and muscles in their backs, neck, shoulders, and hands.
Lack of breaks.
Working for long hours doing heavy lifting and performing the same repetitive motions without an opportunity to rest can make muscle and joint injuries worse because there is no time for the injuries to heal.
Cold work sites.
Working in a cold work environment can reduce circulation to a person’s hands and make it more likely that repetitive motions will cause them to become injured.
Falls.
With falls at construction sites being a leading cause of workplace deaths, it is not surprising that drywall installers risk falling off ladders, stairs, and other heights, especially when they are carrying heavy sheets of drywall that can make them lose their balance. This can result in them suffering debilitating injuries like serious fractures, traumatic brain injury and other head injuries, or spinal cord damage.
Stressful work environment.
Work on construction projects is often stressful and fast-paced because of the need to meet contract deadlines and rush to the next job. This can cause workers to slip and fall, fall off ladders or from heights, or engage in other unsafe practices from the pressure to quickly get the work done.
Have You Been Injured At Your Texas Job And Your Employer Doesn't Provide Workers' Compensation?
If you've been injured on the job and your employer is non-subscriber you need to speak with an experienced work injury lawyer as soon as possible. Contact us online or call our our Colleyville office directly at 817.485.8888 to schedule your free consultation.
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