Working as a construction worker is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. This is because construction sites are inherently dangerous places, and even when following strict safety guidelines, there will always be some risk to workers.
Some of the most common accidents that occur at construction sites include falls, electrocutions, and injuries caused by machinery, heavy lifting, falling objects and by fires or explosions. Since there’s so much that can go wrong at a construction site and the slightest mistake can lead to injury, workers and their employers are expected to follow strict safety protocol. Unfortunately, sometimes safety regulations are ignored at the workers’ peril.
Listed below are some of the most common safety violations at construction sites:
- Fall protection violations. Scaffolding is present at most construction sites, and employers are required to provide fall precaution systems to support workers in case they fall. When these safety measures are ignored and the scaffolding is improperly constructed, workers are at risk of injury or death. Sadly, every year thousands of workers are injured in scaffolding accidents, making it the most common cause of construction site accidents.
- Failure to properly communicate hazards. Employers have a responsibility to inform the hazards of handling dangerous chemicals, as well as explain the proper way to handle chemicals to avoid injury.
- Improperly grounded electric systems. Bringing electricity to an active construction site is a delicate and potentially dangerous task. All wires must be grounded properly and exposed or damaged wires and insulations breaks can put workers at risk of electrocution.
- Respiratory hazard violations. Gases, dust, vapors and other toxic fumes are common at construction sites. For this reason, employers are expected to assess the site to determine the level of exposure and then provide the proper respirators to safeguard against it.
- Inadequate training. Most construction projects involve heavy machinery. When employees are not trained properly on how to use that machinery, they pose a risk to themselves and their coworkers.
Suffering an injury at a construction site in the Bronx can be a painful and traumatizing experience. The last thing you should have to worry about after being injured at work is who’s going to pay for your medical bills.
Contact a personal injury attorney in the Bronx
At the Law Offices of Evan W. Kohn, we have over three decades of experience representing clients in the courtroom and fighting for workers’ compensation claims. We can provide you with aggressive, quality representation to help you move on from your accident and get the compensation you deserve. Give us a call today at 718-409-5500 or contact us online.