Wind Hazards at Construction Sites in Chicago

Chicago’s nickname is “The Windy City,” and this moniker is well-deserved. Its proximity to Lake Michigan can create extremely windy conditions, especially down narrow streets in downtown areas. Tornadoes are certainly not unheard of, and the city experienced an F5 magnitude event back in 1990 that killed 29 people. That said, the nickname allegedly stems from the political “climate” of Chicago back in the 1800s, when journalists accused local leaders of being “full of hot air.” Wind hazards at construction sites in Chicago can be particularly dangerous. What should you do after a construction injury in Chicago caused by wind?

OSHA’s Definition of “High Wind” Explained

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has a very specific definition of the term “high wind.” Under this definition, high wind is a hazard that can cause an employee to fall from a height. In other words, the wind is so strong that it could blow a construction worker right off a ledge or platform. This situation can easily lead to fatal or permanently disabling falls.

OSHA also defines “high wind” as something that could cause a construction worker to drop materials. For example, they might drop rebar off an elevated platform, and this material might strike workers down below. High winds might also make an employee lose control of equipment or tools, such as jackhammers or even forklifts.

Finally, OSHA states that high winds can expose workers to a variety of other hazards. This leaves the door open to a limitless set of possible accidents caused by high winds. A barrel of explosive material could tip over and ignite. High winds might also cause scaffolding or a crane to collapse. If you believe your accident was caused by high winds, you’re probably right.

OSHA defines high winds as being over 40 miles per hour in most conditions. However, this standard is lower for work involving the handling of certain materials – and OSHA reduces the threshold to 30 miles per hour in this situation.

Can I File a Workers’ Compensation Claim for a Wind-Related Accident?

Construction workers should be able to file workers’ compensation claims after suffering injuries due to wind-related hazards. You can file a claim even if you make a mistake that led to your accident, since workers’ comp is a “no-fault” system. The only potential issue is if you were acting as an independent contractor at the time of your accident.

Can a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago Help After a Construction Accident?

A workers’ compensation lawyer in Chicago may be able to help you pursue financial stability after a construction accident. Wind hazards can easily lead to catastrophic injuries for hard-working employees. Sometimes, these incidents can be fatal – and families may need to pursue death benefits under workers’ compensation. If you face economic hardships after a construction accident in Chicago, don’t hesitate to contact Connolly Injury Law for further guidance.

Sources:

weather.gov/lot/sigchitorn

theskydeck.com/why-is-chicago-called-the-windy-city/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20first%20known,one%20has%20two%20possible%20meanings.

osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.968