As we recently discussed on our New York Injury Lawyer Blog, the temperatures are rising and everyone is in trouble if they don’t take the proper safety precautions to stay cool in the summer season.
We recently discussed the risks that small children face when they’re left in vehicles unsupervised. Now we’re talking about the risks that grownups have in the heat, more specifically on the job. Construction workers and other employees who work outside in labor-intensive positions have some serious risks regarding heat-related injuries in Manhattan and elsewhere during the upcoming season. The temps are rising and employees are heading outdoors to get some work done. It’s important for employers and employees to create new, or review existing, procedures regarding heat illness during this time of the year. Having a plan in place and having knowledgeable workers can help to reduce the risks of one of these accidents.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), their national outreach initiative has been re-launched to help to educate employees and employers about the risks of working in the heat. This year’s campaign mirrors much of last year’s and works to spread the word and raise awareness about these potentially fatal accidents.
Our Manhattan construction injury attorneys understand that there are simple ways to beat the heat, it’s just making sure that employers and employees use these steps to do so. There are three words, water, rest and shade, that may be the key between a safe working environment and a potentially fatal work accident this summer. Workers are urged to stay hydrated throughout the day and to get plenty of rest in the shade. Workers should be allowed frequent breaks when working in high heats. These three simple words can save lives!
Each year, there are thousands of employees across the U.S. who suffer from various heat-related illnesses on the job. If these injuries are not addressed immediately, fatal injuries can result. Every year since 2003, there have been over 30 workers who have died on the job because of these kinds of accidents.
“It is essential for workers and employers to take proactive steps to stay safe in extreme heat, and become aware of symptoms of heat exhaustion before they get worse,” said Dr. David Michaels, with OSH.
The Administration has released a number of informational and instructional materials through this year’s campaign to help to get these safe practices underway on the work site. Employers and employees are urged to check them out on the WATER. REST. SHADE. website.
Check the newly-released web page for information regarding how to prevent heat-related illnesses, how to spot the symptoms of a heat-related injury and how to treat a victim if you or someone you love has been affected. Staying in the know can help to save lives.
If you, someone you work with or someone you love has been injured in a construction accident in Manhattan or elsewhere in the area, contact a New York City injury lawyer at Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC to set up a free appointment to discuss your rights. Call 718-261-0546.
More Blog Entries:
The Dangers Involved in New York Construction Site Accidents Discussed in Ruscilli v. Indus. Comm’n., New York Injury Lawyer Blog, April 24, 2012
