When considering applicants for physically demanding jobs, it’s hardly surprising that most hiring managers think ‘strength’ first. After all, if work requires heavy lifting, carrying and climbing, applicants lacking the musculoskeletal capacity to perform those tasks probably aren’t cut out for that kind of work. But there’s more to physical ability than muscle and bone.
The construction industry is one of the most hazardous industries in terms of serious work-related injuries, lost work time, disability, and on-the-job fatalities. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 856 worker fatalities occurred in the construction industry in 2013, accounting for more than 20 percent of total worker fatalities. OSHA reports that 3.8 of every 100 workers were injured. Of course, most employers are well aware of this problem and are continually striving to reduce safety risks and prevent workplace injuries. Knowing the most common ways that work injures occur is a proactive first step in learning how to reduce them.
