Construction workers face many hazards on a daily basis. It is up to the construction companies to ensure that these workers are safe as they handle their job duties. The Occupational and Safety Health Administration has found that there are four types of accidents that account for the vast majority of deaths in this industry. Better controlling these causes alone could lead to a huge dip in the number of workers who die while they’re working.
The OSHA Fatal Four includes:
- Falls: 36% of deaths
- Struck by objects: 10% of fatalities
- Electrocutions: 9% of deaths
- Caught in/between: 2% of fatalities
As you can see, stopping only the risk of falling can help tremendously, but companies can’t neglect to institute safety rules to prevent the other three types of accidents from occurring. Unfortunately, there are some construction companies that don’t have sufficient safety measures in place despite the risks.
One thing that must occur at all job sites is the inspection of equipment. This includes everything from scaffolding to power tools. There are times when a defective piece of equipment can lead to an accident. In these cases, the person who suffers the injury can turn to that third-party for compensation instead of having to go through the workers’ compensation process.
New York law has special considerations for people who are injured in falls from scaffolding, ladders and from any height above ground. This is known as Labor Law 240 or the Scaffolding Law, and it sets standards for liability that make it possible to hold the construction company or even the proper owner liable for the damages that are incurred. Knowing about this law and other applicable options can help injured workers decide how to handle their cases. For more information, contact an experienced advocate about your legal options.
