Accident
An accident is an unexpected event, typically sudden in nature and associated with injury, loss, or harm. In terms of construction, accidents can relate to property damage as well as personal injury.
Legally, accidents might be sustained as a result of tasks relating to a building or other built asset, such as constructing, improving, repairing, cleaning or demolishing. The unforeseen or unintentional damage that has occurred to the person or item which results in a loss of function might be referred to as accidental damage. The most common construction accidents which make up 35% of all incidents are falls, these often occur from scaffolding, ladders, roofs, chimneys, etc.
A large number of mechanisms and policies are in place on construction sites to try to tackle and reduce the number of accidents in the workplace and the impact these might have on people and property. Such examples are Health and Safety procedures, Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM), The Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE) at Work Regulations 2022, toolbox talks, first aiders, accident reporting, accident log books, permits to work, risk assessments and method statements and so on.
Whilst accidental damage refers to damage that is not wilful or deliberate and caused by a 'chance' event, deliberate or willful damage refers to intentional damage. This may be considered a misdemeanour, it is unlawful and can lead a prison sentence. Negligence is a term that may be discussed in association with accidents, referring to whether said accident occurred because of carelessness or lack of duty of care.
Force majeure are extreme events that are beyond the parties' control. Types may sometimes be listed in a construction contract. Some specific forms of accident might be included as well as acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God.
Many cases exist where the lines between purely accident damage and damage through neglect or poorly exercised duty of care are unclear.
In many cases some form of insurance will be taken out to cover any potential liability to persons or organisation that are responsible for property, site or workers.
Damages refers to the monies that might awarded to an injured party for a personal injury or some form of loss in compensation cases. There are two general categories of damages: general damages and special damages, also referred to as non-economic and economic damages.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Accident book.
- Accident reports in construction.
- Architects liability.
- CDM.
- Defects.
- Defects liability period.
- Employers’ liability insurance.
- First aider.
- Force majeure in construction.
- Health and safety.
- Injuries on construction sites.
- Joint and several liability.
- Liability.
- Near miss.
- Notification to HSE.
- Occupational accident.
- Occupational health.
- Occupational injury
- Reporting accidents and injuries on construction sites RIDDOR.
- Safety audit.
- Site records and registers.
- Slip and trip hazards.
- Toolbox talk.
Featured articles and news
Design and construction industry podcasts
Professional development, practice, the pandemic, platforms and podcasts. Have we missed anything?
C20 Society; Buildings at Risk List 2025
10 more buildings published with updates on the past decade of buildings featured.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme and certifications consultation
Summary of government consultation, closing 11 June 2025.
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
From project managers to rising stars, sustainability pioneers and more.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.