Biggest Safety Concerns On A New York Construction Site
Working on construction sites in New York is dangerous, not just because of the inherently risky nature of construction work, but also because of the negligent failure of construction site owners, employers, and contractors to protect the workers from preventable construction hazards.
New York labor laws require employers in the construction industry to conform to OSHA standards and provide a safe workplace to their workers. Unfortunately, many employers tend to cut corners and fail to implement the necessary safety measures. It’s one of the reasons why the workplace injury and fatality rate in the industry is so high.
Top Safety Hazards at Construction Sites in New York
Falling from Height
Falls from height are the single biggest cause of serious injuries and fatalities on construction sites. The most common factors that contribute to falls from height include defective scaffoldings and ladders, lack of fall protection mechanisms, unstable work surfaces, and human error. Allowing untrained workers to work at height is also one of the reasons why falls so are common on construction sites in New York.
Struck by Moving Objects
Excavators, bulldozers, backhoes, trenchers, tower cranes, and a wide range of other equipment are used in construction. This equipment is constantly moved around on the site to transport and dump construction materials. If the equipment is defective or if the operator is inattentive, it can lead to serious accidents. Similarly, if workers fail to pay attention to their surroundings, they might get struck by these moving objects.
Electrocution Injuries
Electrocution accidents on construction sites can be caused by workers directly coming into contact with a power line or indirectly through a conducting object or material. Workers might accidentally encounter overhead cables while working at heights and with underground cables while working in trenches. Electrocution accidents can also happen as a result of electrical equipment and machinery.
Data also shows that many electrocution accidents reported on construction sites in New York involve untrained workers who are not qualified to do electrical work.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries
Slips, trips, and falls are common on construction sites due to a wide range of factors including uneven walking surfaces, uncovered holes and excavations, spills, wet and slippery surfaces, cables, and unused materials. Lack of warning signs to let workers know about potential hazards is also one of the reasons why these types of accidents are so common on New York construction sites.
Exposure to Hazardous Materials
Construction, renovation, and demolition activities often involve the use of harmful materials that can cause serious injuries and diseases. These include paints, solvents, sealants, adhesives, acids, mercury, timber treatment chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and flammable substances like propane.
Workers might be exposed to these hazardous materials by directly coming into contact with them or by accidentally inhaling them. Exposure to these substances can cause serious, long-term diseases that can affect vital organs like lungs and kidneys. Lack of personal protective equipment and lack of proper training for workers are two of the biggest factors that contribute to accidents involving harmful substances on construction sites.
Get the Most Effective Legal Representation from Award-Winning Construction Accident Lawyers
If you have been injured in a construction accident, the experienced New York construction accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff are ready to help you. We have a long and successful track record of fighting for the rights of injured construction workers and their families in New York.
We can provide you with the support and guidance you need and make sure you get workers’ compensation benefits – as well as compensatory benefits from third-parties, if applicable – in a timely manner. We bring unmatched legal knowledge, resources, and over 100 years of combined experience to the table and we are willing to fight aggressively to maximize your compensation.
Call our firm today at 212-962-1020 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned and diligent construction accident attorney.