Construction sites of all kinds can be dangerous places for workers. Over the past years, New York City has seen a rise in serious construction accidents. Due to the high risk inherent in this occupation, both federal and state authorities put in place safety regulations that are supposed to address the most frequent causes of accidents.
Falls
Falls are among the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities. This type of accident can happen due to several causes. In some cases, workers do not use safety equipment like harnesses or helmets. This can happen because a worker is careless, because the workplace does not have enough equipment for everyone or because of high pressure and lack of supervision. When workers are put under extreme pressure to work quickly, they can feel that they simply do not have the luxury of taking a few minutes to put on the equipment or to make sure it is properly fastened. A lack of training can also contribute to the incidence of falls.
Inadequate safety equipment
Other issues that lead to falls include improperly built scaffolding. Workers have fallen because of gaps or lack of guardrails. Missing ladders and safety nets are also among the number of dangerous shortcuts.
Falling objects
Another common construction hazard is falling debris or equipment. This type of accident is more likely to occur in the absence of guardrails and other procedures for removing debris and moving equipment. Workers who do not wear helmets have a higher chance of suffering serious injury as a result of falling objects.
Moving machinery
Construction sites are full of heavy machinery and equipment. Accidents can happen when a worker gets in the way of machinery and the operator is not able to stop it in time. For this reason, it is important to make sure that backing-up warning signals are operational. Operators should also undergo safety training. Workers should remain aware that many types of machinery have blind spots and know how to avoid them.
While regulations and inspections can increase workplace safety in the construction industry, not all accidents can be avoided. In addition, many construction companies continue to violate regulations in spite of the risk of fines.
If you have been injured on a construction site, you can get compensation. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to file a lawsuit or obtain workers’ compensation, which may be available even if no one is at fault for the accident. Consult an experienced lawyer to find out what you are entitled to.
