Workplace injuries can happen anywhere, but some industries such as construction work pose much greater risks to workers than most jobs. There are hazards on construction sites that put workers’ lives at risk every day, even with standard safety protocols in place. Job experience can help in getting to know what precautions to take to avoid injury, but just one slip, even to a seasoned worker, can prove fatal.
The construction industry provides a significant portion of the job force in New York and across the country, with 11.4 million workers in 2019. From 2011 to 2019, job growth in construction rose by 25%, with workers of Hispanic descent going up by 55%. Unfortunately, fatal injuries to Hispanic worker also rose by 90%.
What are the fatal four in construction?
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 20% of all private sector worksite fatalities in 2018 occurred in construction. The main causes of death were:
- Falls, which can occur in many areas due to poorly secured scaffolding, unstable structures, high winds, hidden gaps, or unmarked or concealed holes.
- Struck-by incidents, such as being hit by an object or piece of equipment
- Electrocution
- Caught in-between machinery
While falls represented a full third of cases, these four causes, called the “fatal four”, were responsible for over half of all construction worker deaths. Even when safety measures are in place, construction work remains hazardous.
What does New York workers’ compensation cover after an injury?
In New York, there are many basic protections for workers who have suffered an injury while on the job. Some of these workers’ compensation benefits include:
- Medical expenses, which includes all treatment for work-related injuries, including mileage reimbursement
- Wage replacement, which are cash benefits paid out of workers’ compensation insurance that covers expenses while the worker is out of work
- Death benefits to the family of a deceased worker
For construction workers in Garden City and throughout Nassau County, getting the help they need after a job-related accident is essential. If there were dangerous worksite hazards that did not comply with OSHA safety standards when the accident occurred, it may be possible to file a claim against the employer or onsite project manager. Looking at the circumstances of the injury will help to determine whether a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim will be the best option.
