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.
Construction Remains One of the Most Dangerous Jobs in America
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.
The Shocking Truth about the Dangers of Poor Wiring
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.
Construction Companies Can Save Lives with Proper Fall Protection
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.
Stay Safe: Machinery Can Injure, Maim, and Kill
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.