An Insider's look at the Construction Industry and Occupational Medicine

Michael Galvan

There are few industries more essential to modern life than construction. While construction is a vital industry, it also happens to be a statistically dangerous one.

Construction worksites and responsibilities create many opportunities for employee injuries. These worker injuries can end up delaying project deliveries and dramatically increase business expenses. Whether it’s a workforce of several hundred people or a much smaller team, time away from work can add up quickly. In the construction industry, on-the-job injuries account for 47% of employer costs.

And that is just the beginning. Construction companies face a myriad of potential challenges.

  • Construction is one of the most dangerous professions, with a rate of 15.2 deaths per 100,000 workers; The leading causes of death among construction workers are falls, car accidents, electrocution, machine accidents, and being struck by falling objects
  • Construction workers account for 1 in 5 workplace deaths and 1 in 10 non-fatal on-the-job injuries and illnesses in 2012
  • Construction sites must provide health and safety services in a continually changing environment, with comprehensive care available to address a wide range of injuries
  • Proper protection for construction workers must account for changes in elevation, weather, and noise, risk of electrical shock, lacerations, and injuries by blunt force objects

With all these hurdles, it’s important for construction companies to find a health care partner who understands their business. These businesses should look for providers who can:

  • Tailor plans and programs to fit their unique needs
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the industry
  • Work with employees in several states

Unique Construction Challenges

We have more than 35 years of experience providing occupational health services for nearly 500 worksite and retail facilities across the United States. As a national leader in occupational medicine, Concentra combines clinical expertise with extensive experience serving companies in the construction field.

  • Concentra has treated more than 180 million injuries over 35 years
  • Concentra patients average about 50% physical therapy visits as non-Concentra patients
  • Concentra understands the unique challenges of working in construction, and provides medical recommendations for patients that allow them to continue to work on  modified or limited duty
  • 92.5% of construction injury cases treated at Concentra allow employees to stay active at work

Increase productivity while reducing costs

We have found that the biggest benefit that construction companies experience after engaging with Concentra is an immediate reduction in emergency room visits, with a nearly 55% average decrease. Over time, construction employers also see a decrease in injury occurrences and a reduction in time spent away from work to recover from on-the-job injuries. Only 7% of construction injury cases treated at Concentra required off-duty time.