How To Stay Safe This Construction Season

A lot of New Jersey and New York construction workers anticipate the new construction season with a combination of emotions; an enthusiasm about getting out there and earning money while anxious about potential accidents and injuries. As construction companies use the winter lull to plan construction projects for the forthcoming season, they need to also take concrete measures to improve construction workers' safety and minimize serious work-related injuries.

What Can Be Done Before Work Begins Again?

While you cannot be accountable for your company's procedures, there are a number of explicit ways your manager can reduce the chance of construction accident occurrences. It is a good idea to ask your company these few questions.

1. Have any Safety Standards Changed Since Last Year? Both federal and state governments pass safety regulations each year that are explicitly designed to guard against serious construction worker injuries. Fresh guidelines are commonly added and could necessitate construction companies to operate in a different way than workers are accustomed to. For example, this year the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) issued a new directive designed to protect residential construction workers from fall accidents and injuries. This new directive differs quite a bit from past residential constructions edicts, and construction companies must adhere to this new directive accordingly.

2. Are You Going to Provide Safety Training for Employees Before the Busy Season Starts? Employers have a responsibility to train employees on the proper use of safety equipment and on safety rules before they begin work or when equipment or safety standards change. The company that employs you may be required to give a current safety-training course prior to beginning spring construction.

3. How Will Equipment Be Checked to Ensure That it Is Still Working Properly? Construction equipment can cause serious injuries. If an injury occurs because of faulty equipment, then there is a good chance that either the equipment manufacturer or distributor can be held liable. However, if the injuries occur because the employer failed to maintain or inspect the equipment or because the employer failed to train workers on how to use the equipment, then the employer may be liable for injuries.

What Can Be Done if I Get Injured on a Construction Site?

An employer's failure to take appropriate steps to ensure your safety may result in your employer's liability for any resulting injuries. Compensation may include damages for past, present and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. If you have been hurt, or if you have lost a loved one, in a New York or New Jersey construction accident, please contact a New Jersey and New York construction accident lawyer today.