Every job has some form of occupational hazard, but it could be argued that the occupational hazards that construction workers face are significantly more dangerous than most other workers. From the heavy moving parts of various machines to the extreme heights of the New York skyscrapers, construction workers inhabit extremely dangerous areas on a near-daily basis. Additionally, New York’s workers’…
Anyone who goes into the construction business accepts that there is certain level of risk. After all, the job normally involves working with heavy machinery, traversing scaffolding at great heights and using potential dangerous tools. However, it’s the job of the construction company and the manufacturers of this machinery to mitigate the risks and create a safe working environment for…
Anyone who has walked around New York City for any amount of time can tell you about the sidewalk sheds. For the uninitiated, they’re miniature scaffoldings, usually fashioned out of scraps of plywood that are supposed to shield pedestrians from falling debris from a construction site overhead. They’re ubiquitous; since 1998, their numbers have ballooned to almost 10,000. The problem…
A 23-year-old man died in a fall from the roof of a building that was under construction. The construction worker fell from a roof following a large gust of wind, despite wearing a safety harness. The man died from the 24-foot fall within hours of the accidents occurrence. Construction site falls are one of a multitude of accidents that can…
When workers are hurt on the job, it seems an obvious answer, if the employer were at fault, the employer should be held liable. Injured workers may be able to collect workers’ compensation and hold the employer accountable. But what if an employer who ignores safety rules is only penalized as much as the employer who follows them? What if…
Construction workers are at particularly high risk of injury while on the job, and an accident can lead to serious and long-term health complications. Whether it is from working with heavy machinery, breathing toxic chemicals or a fall, injured construction workers often face costly medical expenses and ongoing treatments. Workers’ compensation in New York is designed to alleviate the burden…
Workplace injuries can arise from a variety of factors, including an unsafe environment or faulty tools or equipment. The potential for serious injury is often higher for construction workers, and a machinery accident can result in costly medical bills and other expenses. Workers’ compensation is designed to help you pay for these expenses and cover time you miss from work.…
Construction work is an essential part of growth and maintenance for any city. However, workers involved with these jobs necessarily handle heavy equipment and power tools, which means there is the potential for serious injury. Workers in New York who have been injured on the job are entitled to workers’ compensation, which can cover their expenses and lost wages. This…
For the longest time, the Scaffold Law has provided protection for construction workers in New York who suffer injuries due to fall accidents while working. The liability for accidents covered under the Scaffold Law mainly rests on the property owners and contractors, as they are required to provide workers’ compensation and insurance in these cases. But this practice might soon…
Annmarie G. Gentile was recently sworn in as Vice Chair of the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. The Hon. Robert G. Gigante, Surrogate Richmond County, personally presided over the ceremony and administered the oath to Ms. Gentile on January 9, 2014 at which time other members of the Chamber’s Executive Board of the Chamber were also sworn in. Ms. Gentile is…
It was recently reported that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to significantly lower the amount of silica workers can be exposed to on the job. Reuters Health reported that OSHA expects that the change could save as many as 700 lives per year. Since 1971, the permissible level of silica exposure has been set at 0.1 milligrams…
Every construction company should make sure that their buildings are safe, not just for future users but also for the construction workers who are toiling to get the job done. Any accidents during the construction of the establishment, such as electrical accidents, falls and machinery accidents, may be grounds for a lawsuit from the workers or their families if a…
