Construction Accident

When we think of engineering disasters, we often picture black-and-white photographs or films of dams that have burst open, bridges writhing in the wind, or buildings collapsing decades ago. However, despite advances in technology and a greater collective understanding of engineering than ever before, mistakes are still made and disasters still occur. Read the rest »

Construction is one of the most dangerous jobs in New York City, and construction deaths have been on the rise over the last few years. After months of debate and revision, a law was passed last year that instituted new requirements for construction worker safety training. As this law goes into effect this year, construction companies need to provide their workers with necessary training to ensure they can stay safe on the job. Failing to make sure workers receive this training will not only open construction companies up to large fines, but could also be considered an act of negligence in civil court if an accident does occur. Read the rest »

In recent years there has been a great deal of debate over the importance of the Scaffold Safety Law. There are advocates on both sides, and arguments about money and insurance, about how to keep New York’s construction industry booming, and how to keep workers safe. Wading through all of the arguments can be overwhelming, which makes apathy toward the issue an easy response.

Ultimately, we believe in whatever keeps workers safe and holds employers responsible for safe worksite conditions. Read the rest »

When we think about dangerous jobs, most of us probably think about police officers and firefighters. Outside of emergency workers and the military, however, some of the workers most at risk of suffering injury in New York are roofers. Read the rest »

While it may not be as dangerous as working in the logging industry or as a commercial fisher, construction is still among the most dangerous jobs a person can have in the United States. Roofers, in particular, account for a high number of fatal work injuries. Read the rest »

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), wiring issues that result in electrical shocks are among the most common and deadly standards violations. While not as frequently deadly as falls from roofs or ladders, electrical shocks are especially dangerous since they are not always easy to detect. In movies and TV shows, we see visual representations of electrical hazards as loose wires sparking violently or glowing bolts of electricity spread throughout pools of water. Read the rest »

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), fall protection is one of the most commonly overlooked safety procedures at construction sites. Because of this, falls tend to result in more serious injuries and deaths than any other type of accident for construction workers, yet these accidents are almost always avoidable. Read the rest »

Working with powered machinery is a daily part of the job for millions of people in the U.S. They are particularly vital for industries such as construction and manufacturing. When used safely, machines pose only minor threats to employees.

These devices, however, pose a very real danger when not handled properly or set up safely by employers. The use of machine guarding, for example, can help reduce the unacceptable number of accidents every year; accidents that typically result in very serious or fatal injuries. Knowing where injuries can occur (and how to remain safe around those locations) is the key to avoiding accidents and harm. Read the rest »

The use of forklifts and similar powered industrial trucks is quite common on a lot of job sites. These vehicles make it easier and faster to move building materials and other heavy objects, saving dozens or even hundreds of man-hours when compared to the use of a hand-truck or other method of transport.

However, such vehicles present a very real danger both to the driver and to those around the forklift. Proper training and following best practices not only prevents serious accidents that can be quite costly, but also saves lives. Read the rest »

Ladders are a necessary tool at many job sites, and such frequent use can make it easy to forget that ladders pose some serious dangers. Falls are among the most common workplace accidents in the United States, and falls from ladders are worse than mere slips and falls.

It is important for businesses to provide their workers with ladders that are in good condition, designed for the right use, and replaced as needed to keep everyone safe. When basic safety standards are not met, serious accidents and potentially fatal injuries can occur. Read the rest »