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Guilford County EMS transported two construction workers from Mary Foust Hall on the campus of UNC Greensboro around 3:00 p.m. on May 26, 2010 after plaster similar to stucco fell on them from the ceiling above.

The workers were in a bathroom of the dormitory working on scheduled refurbishments for the building. According to an article on myfox8.com, the workers suffered leg and back injuries. Happily, their injuries are not life-threatening.

Construction is a dangerous task, whether it’s performed within a building, on a highway or elsewhere. Professionals are (expectantly) well-equipped and trained for the high-risk jobs they do; nevertheless, accidents happen that result in serious injury—even death—more often than we like to hear about.

The contemporary American’s life is full of projects, hobbies and chores. And with the currently weak economy, many folks may find “do-it-yourself” a necessity if the job’s going to get done at all!

Amateurs are also at risk when they take on home improvement projects and other minor construction endeavors. You might not tote your hard-hat along with you when you head up the street to help a neighbor build her children’s tree house. And I doubt you strap yourself into a harness and belay to and from your roof when replacing those worn out shingles or cleaning the gutters.

And have you ever considered the dangers of warehouse shopping? These stores stack shelves high with large, often heavy boxes of goods. The steel shelves might seem indestructible, but in fact they are deceptively unsteady. Imagine the destruction and potential hazards if one of those forklifts hit a shelf at the right speed and angle.

Falling debris and items put construction workers at risk, but they also pose problems for everyday folks just trying to get a job done.

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