Construction sites throughout San Francisco are well known to be hazardous. The treacherous terrain is not for those who do not work in the industry nor are skilled in getting around the area. Access to these areas is relatively easy, considering that operations occur in busy areas of equally busy cities. On many occasions, pedestrians have few options and are forced to walk near them.
A booming business with multiple dangers
Construction workplaces number an estimated 250,000-plus nationwide, with all of them not welcoming to walkers. The loud, almost deafening sounds force passers-by to move across the street. In addition, the lack of protection that workers enjoy, specifically hard hats, should be enough to discourage pedestrians who do not have access to hard hats and other safety equipment.
Construction is an extremely noisy enterprise, with heavy equipment accounting for the significant, nearly deafening racket. Heavy equipment, including holes, gaps, falling objects, and toxic materials, are everywhere. California construction site owners can prevent people from accessing high-risk areas by blocking them with solid and secure barricades and barriers.
Inadequate signage is also a significant problem. Even if a sign has detailed language, the dust and dirt inherent in a construction site could conceal important information from passers-by. Even more perilous are unmarked construction sites representing disaster just waiting to happen. Without noticeable and clean warning signs, anyone near the area and not a construction worker could find themselves in peril.
Even the most careful of pedestrians can find themselves involved in accidents that result in serious injuries. Construction companies have an obligation to barricade sites from “civilians” to prevent injuries and accidents on civilians.