Chances are that if you are a New York City construction worker, you work in the vicinity of hazardous energy nearly every day. You come into contact with pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, chemical, thermal and mechanical sources of energy while carrying out your duties. All can prove harmful or deadly under the wrong set of circumstances, e.g., when the equipment is undergoing maintenance and servicing.
There are roughly 3 million people in the United States working as laborers, machine operators, craft workers and electricians who have the most risk of injury. Those exposed to hazardous energy while on the job on average take 24 days to recuperate from their injuries and return to work.
Employers should have safety protocols in place that prevent their workers from being hurt or killed by uncontrolled energy releases on the job. One of the best ways of keeping workers safe from harm is to follow proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) practices.
LOTO procedures keep workers safer from the following hazards:
- Burns
- Fractures
- Electrocution
- Cuts and lacerations
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets standards to control releases of hazardous energy. Implementing LOTO procedures restricts access to hazardous energy when workers have enhanced vulnerability to its dangers. When the procedures aren’t followed, serious accidents can result.
Were you injured on the job due to a release of hazardous energy? You may want to file a workers’ compensation claim in order to recoup some of your financial losses from the incident, including coverage of treatment and rehabilitation costs. A New York City workers’ compensation attorney can provide you with information and guidance during all phases of the process.
