Manhattan Wall Collapse Leads to Death of Worker
Construction accidents are not rare in NYC – in fact, the situation appears to be getting worse. A recent case illustrates the risks faced by construction workers throughout the city. The recent death occurred on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where a mixed-use development was being built at 60 Norfolk Street. Two workers were standing on an old windowsill as a machine was working below, about six to eight feet above ground. Suddenly, the entire wall collapsed, carrying two workers with it, partially burying them in the rubble.
NYC Scaffolding Accident Injures Four Workers
Scaffolding accidents continue to be a plague on New York City construction workers, no matter how many laws and regulations are put in place. Case in point, recently four workers were injured when a scaffolding collapse occurred at a Hudson Yards construction site, as reported by the New York Post. Three of the workers suffered minor injuries, while the fourth worker was severely injured.
NYC Moves to Revoke Contractor’s License After Construction Accident
The City of New York is suing to revoke the license of contractor Wlodzimierz Tomczak after a construction worker was killed at Manhattan work site. Nelson Salinas, age 51, was washing windows at 311 E. 50th Street when he was hit in the head and killed by a falling brick. The brick was knocked loose by the apparatus used to secure Salinas’ scaffolding to the building facade. The City’s Department of Buildings (DOB) filed in September 2019 to have Tomczak’s special rigger license revoked, claiming that he did not take proper precautions at the restoration project where Salinas died.
If You See an OSHA Violation, Say Something
Job sites can be a dangerous place for workers, especially if safety rules put in place to protect employees’ well-being are not adhered to. However, some accidents are more common than others, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has dubbed the four accidents most common for worksite deaths the “fatal four”.
NYC’s Labor Laws: Why They Matter to Contractors
When it comes to construction, you’ll hardly find a better city to work in than New York City. Whether they’re making a single-family home or a commercial building, the construction industry in NYC has boomed in recent years. With the increase in business, especially a business that can be extremely dangerous, there’s no question why the New York State government has introduced several different measures to protect workers and victims while making it easier to hold business owners accountable.
Construction Remains NYC’s Deadliest Industry
As residents of New York City can attest, construction sites can be found everywhere. In fact, there are an estimated 45,000 active construction sites at any one time in The Big Apple. While this is good for the economy and provides employment for many people, it also creates many hazardous situations.
Construction Is Coming Back to NYC
New York has been in the middle of one of the longest construction booms in the city’s history. During the cold winter weather, construction slows, but now that the warmer months are here, you can expect to see multiple projects underway in every borough. While these projects are annoying for residents, construction workers will have steady employment, making a living throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
It unfortunate that both construction workers and pedestrians are at risk of suffering serious or fatal injuries during this construction boom.
Beware These Dangerous Tools
For people trying to make repairs or improve their homes, as well as for professionals working in the construction industry, certain tools present a greater danger than others. Recognizing these tools and treating them with respect is a great way to reduce your chances of a serious injury, but even when you practice caution, someone else can still injure you.
Here is the equipment most likely to cause damage during a construction project:
‘Tis the Season for Safe Construction!
Although summer is the best time of year for construction, with fewer weather-related obstacles to worry about, there is still plenty of work getting done during the long winter months. Snow and ice can’t stop the march of progress in New York City, and our inexhaustible construction workers are out there in the cold dark of a new year working on buildings and making repairs.
But there is a reason warm weather is better for construction—not only do snow and ice make the work harder, they also create much more hazardous conditions.
Worker Safety: The Risk of Machinery Amputation
Worker safety should always be the number one priority for employers, managers, and supervisors. No amount of profit should ever be placed over the well-being of the employees that keep a company running; but it does happen. One of the greatest dangers faced by a NYC construction worker is the risk of amputation due to a machine.