Fall accidents are the leading cause of New York work injuries sustained at constructions sites.
Construction workers, as well as others who work in an industry with fall hazards, are reminded to speak to a New York personal injury lawyer or workers’ compensation attorney when a New York construction accident leads to serious injury.
Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) recently announced the start of a citywide campaign in New York called “Experience is Not Enough”. In an effort to reduce the number of fall accidents at constructions sites, workers are being encouraged to use netting, guardrails, and fall harnesses while working on the job. Employers have a responsibility to provide workers with the safety equipment necessary to minimize their risk of a fall accident while on the job. The launch of the multilingual campaign is in conjunction with the start of the Build Safe/Live Safe conference and the 7th Annual Construction Safety Week.
The Department of Buildings reported that 42 percent of all accidents at constructions sites were falls in 2010. Since 2008, 16 construction workers have died on the job due to employers being remiss in providing fall protection. Two ironworkers were recently killed in February after falling 65-feet during the installation of a steel beam at a work site. Later, investigators discovered safety harnesses on the site premises but employers failed to require workers to wear protection for their own safety.
“Experience alone does not make you invincible,” said Building Commissioner Robert LiMandri. “A worker falling is a tragic accident that can be easily prevented, and this new campaign reminds workers and their supervisors to take steps in order to protect themselves, their colleagues, and the public. No matter how many years you have worked in construction, you can lose your life if the appropriate safety measures are not in place.”
Posters and banners in multiple languages which include Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Polish and English are being posted throughout the city at different constructions sites in order to increase awareness and emphasize the use of fall protection on the job.
Employers at construction sites have a responsibility to make it company policy that fall protection devices such as guardrails, netting and harnesses should be used at all times. Failure to protect employees typically leads to senseless deaths and injuries on the job.
If you have been injured at work, or have a workers’ compensation claim that needs filed in Manhattan, Forest Hills or Queens, contact the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC. An attorney is available for a free consultation 24 hours a day by calling 1-877-313-7673.
