How Buildings Collapse Due to Neglect
At the end of a long day, most of us want to relax and enjoy a little Netflix or a good book in the warmth and safety of our own home. If you live in an apartment or condo, you probably assume that the building owners are taking proper precautions and paying for necessary maintenance to ensure you’re safe where you live. But sometimes, a ceiling, wall, or debris can come crashing down onto you and your loved ones – especially in New York’s older housing complexes.
Engineering Disasters in the 21st Century
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.
Window Washers Risk Their Lives to Keep the City Sparkling
What would New York City be without the towering skyscrapers that dominate so much of the city’s skyline? And how much duller would those architectural achievements look if their windows didn’t shine brightly throughout the day? High-rise window washers keep those windows clean and clear for people inside to look out and for others to see the beauty of the city shining off their glass. But this work presents very real dangers, both for the window washers who brave such terrifying heights and for pedestrians below.
Driver Risks in New York Construction Zones
Driving in New York, whether you’re in the city or out on the highways, means encountering construction areas—it’s just a part of life. Now that summer is here, construction will also heat up in the City. However, these construction zones present very real dangers: not only for construction workers, but also for drivers passing through the area.
Is a Ferry Disaster on the Horizon?
There have been many ferry accidents over the past decade or so; the most notable and tragic being the one in 2003 that cost the lives of 11 people and injured over 100 others. After that disaster, many new regulations were put in place and the entire system was seemingly overhauled to improve passenger safety. Yet at least one captain within the industry has warned that it was not enough, and that New York ferries are another catastrophe waiting to happen.
New Requirements for Construction Safety Training in New York
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.
Structural Flaws at Amusement Parks Can Be Costly
Most of us take amusement park safety for granted when we sit down on a roller coaster or get into a towering water slide. Surely such attractions would not be open to the public if they were not safe; after all, government regulators can shut down restaurants and roads, they must be able to do the same to amusement parks.
Yet there is no actual federal oversight or regulation of “fixed-site” amusement parks. Such things are under the supervision of state laws, and in New York, there is a pretty low standard for inspections and safety.
How the FIU Bridge Collapse Could Change the Construction Industry
The recent collapse of a pedestrian bridge still under construction in Florida was a terrible tragedy that cost the lives of six people. It also demonstrated how errors in construction or design can still make it through planning and development, with real-world consequences. While the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, this tragedy may end up changing construction and bridge design across the country.
Surprising Facts About Forklift Accidents in Warehouses
Forklifts are the workhorses of the warehouse, moving pallets and heavy loads quickly and effectively, and they’re a normal part of work every day for most warehouse workers. But as the saying goes, “familiarity breeds contempt.” It also leads to recklessness and a lack of appreciation for just how dangerous forklifts can be. Warehouse and business owners in New York need to make sure they institute policies to keep their workers safe, and that everyone in the warehouse is doing his or her part to avoid serious accidents.
Roofers Have the 4th Most Dangerous Job in the US
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.