Workers Justice Project Memorializes Those Lost On The Job And Offers Safety Training
Construction is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous industries – owing to its occupational injury and fatality rate, which is significantly higher than most other industries. While there is no denying the fact that construction work is inherently dangerous in nature, it is not the only or even the primary factor behind such a high injury or fatality rate.
In a vast majority of cases, construction workers are injured or killed as a result of lack of training, lack of personal protective equipment, and the lack of proper safety measures – all of which can be attributed to the negligence of employers and contractors. It is precisely what the Workers Justice Project (WJP) is fighting against.
Workers Justice Project – Fighting for the Rights of Construction Workers
WJP is an organization that educates and trains construction workers and fights to improve work conditions in the construction industry. The organization is best known for forming Los Deliveristas Unidos – a union for app-based food delivery workers – and for ensuring minimum pay, bathroom access, and several other rights for the workers.
Last month, WJP honored construction workers who lost their lives on the job over the past year. Yadira Sanchez – a co-founder of WJP – says that they educate and train construction workers under their membership program – which only costs $50 per year. The same kind of training provided by OSHA can cost more than $200, which might be unaffordable for many workers – especially undocumented immigrants who make up a significant percentage of the labor force in the industry.
WJP’s training programs are designed to educate construction workers about their rights under state and federal laws, the minimum wages they are entitled to, the process of reporting violations on the construction site, the process of filing workers’ compensation claim, and many more.
WJP says that it has trained more than 4,000 workers over the past two years. The organization conducts its programs in Spanish, since a vast majority of construction workers in the city are Hispanic.
While the occupational fatality rate in the construction industry has reduced notably in recent years, WJP believes that there is a lot more that needs to be done to make the industry safer. They believe that educating, training, and empowering workers is the key to making the industry safer, as workers who are aware of their rights are more likely to spot and report violations than those who are unaware of their rights.
WJP says that it will keep fighting the good fight to prevent employers from cutting corners and putting their workers’ lives at risk and hold those who violate the law accountable for their actions.
Injured in a Construction Accident? Get a Competent and Compassionate Construction Accident Lawyer on Your Side!
If you have been injured in a construction site accident, it is important to choose a dedicated construction accident lawyer to fight for you.
At the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, we have a team of highly skilled and trained construction accident lawyers who have over 100 years of combined experience and have recovered more than half a billion dollars in negotiated settlements and jury awards.
We know how employers and contractors in the construction industry bend and break state and federal laws and we know how to hold them accountable for their violations. We can represent you, fight for you, and make sure you are adequately compensated for your injuries.
For a free evaluation of your claim, call our firm today at 212-962-1020 or use our online contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our New York construction accident lawyers.