Because every construction site is different and there are so many trades involved in a project, construction employees are likely to suffer about any imaginable injury.
Certainly, the most dire injury is death. Historically, ironworkers and window washers were killed when they fell from scaffolds and ironwork. Modern equipment, including safety harnesses, has significantly helped to reduce the number of fatalities. However, death remains a threat to electricians, firemen, anyone working in an excavation that might cave in, and anyone having a heart attack due to physical exertion.
The most common injuries to construction workers are those that result from sudden trauma. These include spinal injuries (herniated discs, compression fractures), mostly involving the lower back (bulging or ruptured L5-S1), resulting from lifting incidents. Nevertheless, they also include shoulder injuries resulting from lifting overhead (rotator cuff tears, glenoid labrial tears and bicep tears), and knee injuries (torn meniscus or torn ACL) resulting from twisting or falling.
Not to be overlooked, are injuries that do not result from a sudden trauma or single incident. Such injuries are known as repetitive trauma injuries. Carpenters, who formerly drove nails with a hammer, were known to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. Since the use of pneumatic nail guns, the incident of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) has been reduced. However, carpal tunnel syndrome continues to develop among persons operating a jackhammer or a chain saw. Any vibratory tool used over a long period of time can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow tendonitis, shoulder tendonitis and even lower back injury.