How the Labor Shortage Makes Construction Workers More Likely to Get Hurt
The global pandemic created a major disruption in the nation’s labor force, commonly known as “The Great Resignation.” More than 47 million workers quit their jobs in 2021, as stated by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Although hiring rates have picked up since then, many workers who previously resigned in search of better compensation, work-life balance, and flexibility were rehired elsewhere.
Compartment Syndrome and NYC Construction Worker Health
Compartment syndrome is a painful, potentially serious condition. It can develop with bleeding or swelling within a muscle compartment (an enclosed bundle of muscles). A thin casing of connective tissue known as fascia surrounds each group of muscles in the arms and legs, together with nerves and blood vessels. Fascia does not expand. When swelling or bleeding causes pressure to build within the compartment, it can restrict blood flow to the area, potentially damaging muscles, and nerves.
NYC Department of Buildings Considers Using Drones for Safety Inspections
The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) is seriously considering using drones for building inspections. The department has released a report which states, “Our report is the product of intensive research by DOB experts and finds that when combined with traditional hands-on examinations, the effective use of drones could potentially result in more comprehensive building inspections, resulting in reduced inefficiencies and a safer New York City,” as reported by Engineering News-Record New York.
Worksite Dangers Unique to Demolition Workers
Construction is an inherently dangerous industry, and demolition is one of the most dangerous jobs in construction. Destroying existing structures can be a treacherous activity. Nevertheless, many demolition accidents could be avoided if employers planned ahead to protect their employees, provided proper safety equipment, and trained workers on its use.
How Professional Truckers Are Required to Brake Safely
It is very important for truckers to use proper braking techniques while operating a big rig – particularly on a steep, downhill grade. If they fail to do so, it could cause the truck’s brakes to fail, resulting in a deadly crash. In a collision with an 80,000 pound fully loaded 18-wheeler, passenger vehicle occupants are likely to suffer catastrophic or fatal injuries.
The Laws Surrounding Hand-Propelled Vehicle Safety on NY Worksites
There are several laws and regulations in place in New York State that govern the safety of hand-propelled vehicles on worksites. These laws are designed to protect workers from injuries that can occur while using these vehicles and ensure that employers provide a safe and healthy work environment.
Some of the critical provisions of these laws include requirements for training workers who will be using hand-propelled vehicles and for maintaining these vehicles. Employers are also required to provide workers with information about the risks associated with using these vehicles and taking steps to mitigate these risks.
Scaffold Safety Law: The Battle of New York
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.
Defective Safety Belts Could Have Caused Your Fall
Construction workers are at a high risk of death due to falls from heights. In fact, data from the US Bureau of Statistics shows that 33.5% of construction worker deaths occur due to falls. Construction companies must take measures to protect their workers from falls, and workers must be aware of the dangers of working at heights. However, some construction companies do not take responsibility for the safety of their workers.
Do Big-Rig Trucks Really Have “Black Boxes”?
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about big-rig trucks and their so-called “black boxes.” A black box is a device that records data about the performance of a vehicle so that if that vehicle is involved in an accident, valuable information about what caused the accident will be able to be recovered from the wreckage.
New York School Zone Accidents
Dangerous accidents occur in school zones every day in the United States. There are several reasons why school zone accidents occur. For one, there are often a lot of children around and children can be unpredictable. It is also in the nature of school zones that, at rush hour, there is a unique combination of foot traffic, school buses, and lots of smaller vehicles starting and stopping to drop-off or pick up students. Busy parents are also too often caught up in the hubbub of their professional lives—rushing to work to be on time or engaging their kids or other parents in conversation when they should be focusing more on the road in front of them.