Construction workers in New York City are an important part of our great city and its never-ending development. Unfortunately, the hard-working men and women in the construction industry are often put in dangerous work environments in which accidents and injuries occur. In this article, we look at some of the specific dangers faced by workers in New York’s construction industry and discuss what you can do after being injured on the job.
Study Reveals Dangers of Construction Work In New York 
Work-related accidents can happen in any industry or work environment, however construction workers are often subject to certain working conditions which put them at higher risk of suffering an injury on the job compared to workers in most other industries.
A new report from the New York Committee for Occupational Safety & Health (NYCOSH) has revealed some startling statistics about the dangers that construction workers face in New York. Among other statistics, this new report highlights that construction workers account for less than 4% of the workforce in New York, yet represent more than 20% of occupational fatalities in the state.
Higher Risk of Injury For Latino & Immigrant Workers
The new NYCOSH report also shows that Latino and immigrant construction workers in New York face a disproportionately higher risk of injury on the job compared to other construction workers. While Latinos account for 25% of all construction workers in the State of New York, they represent nearly 40% of work-related fatalities in New York’s construction industry.
This is not just a problem in New York either. In fact, a study of more than 7,000 medical records of Latino construction workers from throughout the U.S. found that Latino construction workers are 30% more likely to suffer a work-related injury compared to white non-Latino construction workers. Additionally, OSHA reports that 60% of construction worker deaths from fall accidents in New York between 2003 to 2011 were suffered by Latino or immigrant workers.
Know The Most Dangerous Work-Related Accidents In Your Industry
By understanding the most dangerous types of accidents that occur in the construction industry, you will know what to look out for and may be able to take action to avoid an injury.
Fall Accidents
According to OSHA, fall accidents are the main cause of of fatalities in the construction industry. These accidents often occur when workers are not provided with sufficient training or proper safety equipment. Always make sure that you are cautious when working on scaffolding or working at elevated heights.
Electrocution
Most construction workers in New York have to work with, or near, live electrical wiring every day. Unfortunately, serious injuries and fatalities are suffered by many construction workers every year due to electrocution. Always keep in mind the fact that there may be hazardous electrical wiring on your job site and be sure to take extra precaution when working directly with live electrical wiring. For more information on electrical hazards, visit this page.
Struck By Objects & Equipment
Construction work often involves the use of heavy machinery and other dangerous equipment. Many construction workers are injured when they are struck by equipment, tools or materials that are being used on the job site. For example, many construction workers suffer injuries after being hit with tools that falls from scaffolding and other elevated parts of a construction site. Remember to always wear your hard hat when working on a job site and be especially aware when working below other workers.
Do You Feel Safe In Your Workplace?
Safety should be your number one priority when working on a construction site. One of the best things that you can do is familiarize yourself with your legal rights as a worker. If you do not feel safe because of a hazardous condition in your work environment, then you should tell your employer about the dangerous condition and request that it be fixed.
Do Not Hesitate To Request A Safety Inspection
If your employer refuses to fix the hazardous condition, then you can contact OSHA to request that your work environment be inspected. You should not feel afraid to request a job site inspection if you believe that your work environment is dangerous in any way. In fact, you have the right as a worker to request a job-site inspection without retaliation from your employer.
Finally, it is important to understand that you have the right to stop working at any time if you feel that your life is in danger.
What To Do If You Are Injured
Suffering an unexpected injury on the job can be very scary and can be shocking when it happens. If you suffer an injury on the job in New York, then you are more than likely entitled to workers’ compensation or another form of compensation to help pay for expenses associated with your injuries. However, it is important to know what to do in order to maximize your chances of being fairly compensated under your rights.
Seek Medical Attention
Again, your first priority should always be your health and safety. As a result, you should seek medical attention for any injuries right away. Do not try to tough it out and work through the pain because this can make your injury worse.
Notify Your Employer of Your Injury
The next thing that you will want to do is notify your employer of the injury that you’ve suffered. You will want to be as detailed as possible about your injury and how it occurred. While you can notify your employer verbally, it is best to notify your employer in writing.
Seek Legal Help
You may in fact need workers’ compensation to help support you throughout your recovery. Fortunately, all workers in New York who are injured on the job are technically entitled to workers’ compensation. However, not all workers receive workers compensation. In fact, many workers’ compensation claims are denied each year for different reasons. By consulting an experienced workers’ compensation lawyer you can ensure that you are making all of the right decisions to maximize your chances of obtaining benefits.
Workers Compensation Lawyers In New York
Have you been injured while working on a construction site? If so, you may be entitled to workers compensation. Contact our workers compensation lawyers in New York today by calling (914) 279-0696 for a free consultation. Our lawyers have years of experience in a variety of practice areas related to workers compensation, a full list of which can be found here. We will evaluate your situation and help you to determine your best options for recovering compensation.
