Recent construction accidents have highlighted and is still
a persistent problem on construction sites across the
world; the presence of unsafe working conditions is one of
the most common causes for serious construction accidents.
The fact remains, however, that many of these accidents can
be prevented by proper, competent oversight and adherence
to building safety regulations and occupational hazard
standards. Two specific examples of unsafe working
conditions and attempts at circumventing basic standards
were the cause of recent regrettable events.

The first has been the widely reported problem of defective
Chinese drywall present in recently constructed homes
across the U.S. It has come to the attention of several
homeowners that their homes may be contaminated with
defective Chinese drywall imported between 2000 - 2007,
which may now be releasing harmful gases into their homes.
This gas has been shown to corrode copper wiring in
electrical sockets, copper duct work in air conditioning
units, and tarnishing silver flatware. Additionally, it
may present health concerns both from short term and long
term exposure; many individuals have already experienced a
litany of symptoms, including respiratory problems,
headaches, and fatigue.

The contaminated building product has gone beyond creating
unsafe working conditions for the construction workers that
may have been exposed to the toxic Chinese drywall; it has
now created a potentially hazardous living environment for
many of the homeowners in which this defective product was
installed.

Another example of unsafe working conditions came from an
international incident in Shanghai. A 13 story apartment
building collapsed almost completely intact, killing one
worker. The collapse was apparently caused by workers
beginning excavation on the underground parking garage,
causing the river bank nearby to collapse and triggering a
foundation failure for the complex. Preliminary reports
have said that the Chinese government is holding 9
individuals connected with the building's construction.
When builders attempt to cut costs by neglecting safety
regulations, we see why such a tragic accident would occur.

Those in charge of the building should be the ones in
charge of enforcing safety standards on the projects. When
safety is overlooked in favor of cutting costs, it is the
construction worker who generally is the victim of.
oversight. Oftentimes, this leads to the victim contacting
a construction accident lawyer and developing a costly
construction accident lawsuit for the building contractor.