This guide covers the hazards Sandy cleanup workers faced, your rights under New York workers’ compensation law, OSHA protections, available resources, and how to protect your claim if you were injured on the job.
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The Scale of Hurricane Sandy’s Impact on Workers
Hurricane Sandy caused massive destruction across New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and surrounding areas. The storm flooded entire neighborhoods, destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, knocked out power for millions of residents, and left behind a landscape of downed trees, collapsed structures, exposed electrical lines, contaminated floodwaters, and toxic debris.
The cleanup effort that followed was enormous. Workers came from all over the country to help restore power and rebuild affected communities. Thousands of previously unemployed residents took on temporary day-labor positions. The Disaster National Emergency Grant provided $27 million in federal funding to hire approximately 5,000 additional workers in the hardest-hit counties, including the Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Rockland, Suffolk, Sullivan, Westchester, and Ulster.
With so many workers needed so quickly — and with the pressure to restore normalcy as fast as possible — safety protocols were frequently overlooked, training was inadequate, and proper protective equipment was in short supply. The results were predictable: workers were injured, and many continue to deal with the health consequences today.
Who Was Doing the Work?
Sandy cleanup workers came from many different backgrounds and employment situations, including:
- Utility and power restoration workers from New York, New Jersey, and out-of-state crews
- Construction and demolition crews hired to clear debris and begin rebuilding
- Day laborers and temporary workers recruited through local career centers and job programs
- Housing Authority workers addressing contaminated buildings and flooded basements
- Volunteers and community members assisting in cleanup and recovery efforts
- City workers, firefighters, and emergency personnel continuing recovery operations
- Contracted remediation specialists dealing with mold, sewage, and toxic materials
Regardless of employment status — whether you were a full-time employee, a temporary or day worker, or even a volunteer in certain circumstances — New York workers’ compensation law may protect you if you were injured while performing cleanup work.
Workplace Hazards Faced by Hurricane Sandy Cleanup Workers
Hurricane Sandy cleanup sites were among the most hazardous work environments in recent New York history. Workers faced multiple simultaneous dangers — many of which were inadequately disclosed by employers and contractors, and for which workers were not properly equipped or trained.
Electrocution and Live Electrical Hazards
Downed power lines were one of the most serious dangers during the Sandy cleanup. Hidden beneath debris, floodwater, and mud, live wires were difficult to spot and posed an immediate risk of electrocution and death. Utility workers working to restore power faced constant exposure to electrical hazards under extreme time pressure.
One well-documented case involved a PSE&G lineman who suffered cardiac arrest after being electrocuted while repairing a utility pole during recovery operations in New Jersey. His coworkers performed CPR until police arrived with a defibrillator and revived him. He was hospitalized in stable condition. PSE&G subsequently issued additional safety messages reinforcing protocol, but the incident underscored the very real danger of electrical work during storm recovery operations.
Falls from Heights
Workers were frequently required to work on damaged rooftops and elevated surfaces without proper fall protection equipment such as harnesses and safety lines. Multiple workers suffered serious injuries after falling from buildings during cleanup and repair work. OSHA documented numerous instances of workers operating without required fall protection gear.
Toxic Chemical Exposure
OSHA laboratory testing conducted at Sandy cleanup sites around New York revealed that workers were being exposed to a dangerous array of toxic substances, including:
- Asbestos — released from demolished and flood-damaged older buildings
- Silica dust — from pulverized concrete, plaster, and building materials
- Lead — from deteriorating paint and older construction materials
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds) — from petroleum products, solvents, and chemical contamination
- Mold and biological hazards — from water-saturated building materials
- Sewage contamination — floodwaters mixed with backed-up sewage systems, contaminating homes, basements, and all debris in flooded areas
The Housing Authority alone was dealing with 400 buildings affected by Hurricane Sandy, housing more than 80,000 residents. Basements in these buildings were flooded with water contaminated by sewage and petroleum products. Workers clearing these areas needed full protective gear and specialized hazmat training — but many received neither.
Inadequate Protective Equipment
Despite OSHA warnings and guidelines, cleanup workers across New York were repeatedly found working without adequate protective gear. OSHA investigators found that one in three workers was working unprotected in hazardous conditions. Workers reported that while they were often paid well for their services, employers were not providing basic protective equipment including:
- Waterproof boots and full-body protective suits
- Respirators and appropriate face masks (some workers were only given paper masks while handling dangerous chemicals)
- Gloves suitable for handling contaminated debris
- Safety harnesses for working at heights
- Goggles for eye protection from dust and airborne particles
Workers reported feeling “let down” by the lack of protection and training. Despite their concerns, many continued working rather than risk losing income they desperately needed.
Power Tools and Heavy Equipment Hazards
Chainsaws were widely used to cut fallen trees, and heavy machinery was deployed throughout cleanup zones. Untrained workers operating or working near this equipment faced serious risks of laceration, crushing, and machinery-related injuries. In the chaos of large-scale cleanup, workers and equipment frequently shared tight spaces without adequate safety protocols.
Winter Weather Conditions
The cleanup extended well past the initial storm, and subsequent winter weather created compounding hazards for workers still in the field. A nor’easter struck the East Coast just weeks after Sandy, dumping several inches of snow on already devastated areas. Workers faced:
- Icy and dangerous road conditions while traveling between work sites
- Downed trees and live wires obscured by snow
- Flying debris during high wind events
- Freezing temperatures and overnight frost creating additional hazards on worksites
- Continued flooding risk in coastal areas where protective dunes had been destroyed, with beach elevations dropping several feet
Workers were overtaxed, fatigued, and working in worsening conditions well into the winter of 2012–2013. Long Island in particular faced ongoing flooding, with the destruction of coastal dunes leaving communities vulnerable to every subsequent storm.
Mental Health and Emotional Trauma
Beyond physical hazards, Sandy cleanup workers faced significant psychological stress. Recovery workers dealt with the emotional toll of encountering devastation, deaths, and widespread loss on a daily basis. Medical teams on site offered mental health counseling to help volunteers and workers cope with the ongoing trauma. Many workers were also themselves victims of the storm — working to help others while simultaneously dealing with their own damaged or destroyed homes and belongings.
Depression and anxiety are recognized occupational health issues for disaster recovery workers. Workers who showed signs of stress and depression were encouraged to seek mental health support before their conditions affected their ability to return to work.
OSHA’s Role and Your Employer’s Safety Obligations
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was actively present at Hurricane Sandy cleanup sites throughout the New York and New Jersey recovery zone. OSHA teams inspected sites in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Long Island, and other affected areas and documented widespread safety violations.
What OSHA Found
Federal inspections produced alarming results:
- An estimated 3,100 instances of unsafe working conditions were documented at Sandy cleanup sites
- Nearly 8,000 workers were removed from dangerous conditions following federal inspections
- One in three workers was found to be working unprotected in hazardous conditions
- Despite thousands of documented violations, only 32 cases resulted in actual citations and fines — most situations amounted to warnings only, with no follow-up enforcement action
Critics noted that OSHA’s enforcement response was far too limited given the scale of documented violations. Contractors repeatedly ignored safety rules even after being warned, continuing to put workers at risk. The New York City Central Labor Council, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health, and the Long Island Federation of Labor all issued fact sheets warning workers about the dangers they faced and their rights under OSHA law.
Your Rights Under OSHA Law
Under OSHA regulations, every employee is entitled to a safe workplace free from recognized hazards. Your employer’s obligations include:
- Providing proper personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost to you
- Training you on the specific hazards present at your work site
- Informing you about the toxic substances you may be exposed to
- Following all applicable OSHA safety standards
You have the right to refuse unsafe work. Under OSHA law, workers can refuse to perform a task if they genuinely believe it presents an imminent danger and there is insufficient time to eliminate the hazard through normal channels. You cannot be legally fired or penalized for exercising this right — though many workers were unaware of this protection and continued working in unsafe conditions out of fear of losing their pay.
If you witness unsafe working conditions on a Sandy cleanup site, you can and should report them to OSHA. OSHA also provides training and technical support for workers dealing with hazardous chemical cleanup conditions.
Workers’ Compensation Rights for Hurricane Sandy Cleanup Workers
If you were injured while performing Hurricane Sandy cleanup, recovery, or restoration work in New York, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation covers any illness or injury sustained in the course of employment — regardless of fault.
What Workers’ Compensation Can Provide
- Medical treatment coverage for all necessary treatment related to your work injury
- Lost wage benefits while you are unable to work due to your injury
- Permanent disability benefits if your injury results in lasting impairment
- Death benefits for the surviving families of workers who died as a result of a work-related injury or illness
Who Is Covered
Most workers who were injured during Sandy cleanup operations are covered under New York workers’ compensation law, including:
- Full-time and part-time employees of any company performing cleanup or restoration work
- Temporary and day workers hired through employment agencies or job programs
- Workers hired through the Disaster National Emergency Grant or similar federal programs
- Out-of-state workers who were injured while working in New York
If you are uncertain whether you were legally classified as an employee or an independent contractor, speak with an attorney. Many workers are misclassified as contractors to avoid workers’ compensation obligations — a practice that is illegal.
What to Do If You Were Injured
If you were injured during Sandy cleanup work and have not yet filed a workers’ compensation claim, contact our office as soon as possible. New York workers’ compensation claims are subject to strict filing deadlines, and waiting too long can jeopardize your right to benefits. Our experienced legal team will review your case at no cost and help you understand your options.
Financial Assistance and Resources for Sandy-Affected Workers
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
The Governor of New York announced the availability of federal disaster unemployment assistance for those who lost their income as a result of Hurricane Sandy. This assistance was available to workers who lived or worked in the Bronx, New York, Queens, Richmond, Kings, Suffolk, Nassau, Westchester, or Rockland counties.
Eligible individuals included those who:
- Lost their job or were unable to work as a direct result of the storm
- Could no longer commute to work because their route passed through disaster areas
- Had their workplace destroyed or made inaccessible by storm damage
- Were self-employed — including independent taxi drivers, commercial fishermen, farmers, and small business owners — whose work conditions or locations were destroyed
Medical Treatment Resources
Several medical centers in New York provided care specifically for Hurricane Sandy workers and volunteers, including those who were uninsured or unable to pay:
- The Mount Sinai-Irving J. Selikoff Center for Occupational and Environmental Medicine provided confidential treatment and exams for Sandy workers and volunteers, along with counseling services for psychological trauma. Social workers were on staff to connect workers with additional services and resources.
- The Institute for Family Health reopened its Bronx family health centers to provide medical care to hurricane cleanup workers and residents, including mental health specialists for counseling and support.
Support for People With Disabilities
Hurricane Sandy created particular hardship for people living with disabilities. The storm left more than 6 million people without power — a serious threat to those who rely on medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and electric wheelchairs to function and survive. People living with disabilities who experienced damages, lost income, or were unable to access care due to Sandy’s destruction may have had additional options for assistance through local hospitals with generator-powered facilities and community health organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sandy Workers’ Compensation
I was a day laborer during the Sandy cleanup. Can I file a workers’ comp claim?
Yes, in most cases. New York workers’ compensation law covers employees regardless of whether they are full-time, part-time, or temporary workers. Day laborers hired through job programs or career centers are generally covered. If you were treated as an independent contractor, that classification may not be legally valid — speak with an attorney to determine your eligibility.
I was a volunteer. Do I have any rights if I was injured?
It depends on the specific circumstances of your volunteer work. Some volunteers working through organized programs may have coverage under certain conditions. An attorney can review the facts of your situation and help determine what options are available to you.
My employer didn’t provide proper safety equipment and I was injured. Does that affect my claim?
Workers’ compensation in New York is a no-fault system, meaning you don’t need to prove your employer was negligent to receive benefits. However, your employer’s failure to provide proper safety equipment may also create grounds for additional legal action depending on the circumstances. An attorney can help you evaluate all available options.
I was exposed to toxic chemicals during cleanup. I’m not sick yet — should I file a claim?
You should consult a doctor immediately even if you have no current symptoms. Exposure to asbestos, silica, mold, and sewage contamination can lead to conditions — including serious lung diseases and cancers — that take years to develop. Document your exposure now and maintain regular medical monitoring. Contact an attorney to understand your options for future claims if a condition develops.
I was injured during the cleanup but was afraid to report it because I needed the work. Is it too late?
Contact an attorney as soon as possible. New York workers’ compensation claims are subject to filing deadlines, so the sooner you act the better. Do not assume it is too late without speaking with a qualified attorney who can review your specific situation.
I was working on a Sandy cleanup site and was hit by equipment operated by another contractor. What are my rights?
You may have rights under both workers’ compensation and a separate third-party personal injury claim against the contractor responsible for the equipment. These situations can be complex, and an experienced workers’ compensation and personal injury attorney can help you understand the full scope of compensation available to you.
Were You Injured During Hurricane Sandy Cleanup Work? We Can Help.
The attorneys at Markhoff & Mittman, P.C. — The Disability Guys — have been fighting for injured New York workers for over 85 years. We understand the unique challenges faced by Hurricane Sandy cleanup workers, and we are ready to help you recover the workers’ compensation benefits you are entitled to.
All consultations are free and confidential. We work on a contingency basis — you pay nothing unless we win your case.
- Call us toll-free:Â (866) 205-2415
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