What Does
Structural Collapse Mean?
accounting for around 35% of all construction-related deathsA collapse refers to the failure of a structure or component to maintain its structural integrity. Structures that could collapse include buildings, bridges, and trenches.
The collapse of structures such as trenches and scaffolds are among the most common causes of worker injury in the construction industry. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trench collapses are among the deadliest construction hazards. In 2022, there were 39 trench-related fatalities in the U.S., which was an increase from 21 fatalities in 2021. This marked a troubling trend in trench-related deaths.
OSHA also reports that approximately 4,500 injuries and over 50 deaths occur annually in the U.S. due to scaffolding accidents. Many of these incidents are due to scaffolding collapses, but they also include falls from scaffolds and being struck by falling objects.
Falls, which can result from structural collapses, are the leading cause of fatalities in the construction industry, accounting for around 35% of all construction-related deaths, according to the BLS. While this statistic includes falls from various heights, scaffold collapses contribute significantly to this number.
Safeopedia Explains Structural Collapse
In the context of workplace safety, preventing structural collapse involves rigorous inspection, maintenance, and adherence to safety standards and building codes. Health and safety professionals are tasked with identifying potential risks, ensuring compliance with regulations, and implementing safety measures to protect workers and the public from the dangers associated with structural failures. This includes emergency preparedness, evacuation planning, and training workers to recognize early warning signs of potential collapse.
Construction is a high-injury, high-fatality industry compared to other professions. Collapsed structures are a significant source of these injuries and fatalities. Due to the wide variety of structures that are at risk of collapse, there are a range of differing standards associated with preventing structural collapse. For instance, the standards associated with trench construction are different than those associated with bridge construction. Both, however, fall under Standard 1926, which covers construction.
In order to address the significant problem of building collapses, OSHA’s website provides a list of engineering reports on significant incidents, along with the legal penalties associated with them, standards violated, and any associated injuries and fatalities. .
In addition to collapses caused by problems with engineering or safety measures, structural collapse can be caused by the application of external factors such as earthquakes, fire, and weather-related events. Structural collapse may also be caused by external human action against the structure, such as an accidental vehicular impact or explosion. Emergency workers and rescue workers face an additional set of hazards associated with having to enter collapsed structures. The possible failure of engineering controls due to collapse may create additional hazards. As such, there are an array of occupational protocols for emergency workers who deal with collapses.