Construction is constantly in progress in New York. Whether it is a commercial or a residential property, the city is such a hub for business, tourism and with people who are moving in that there seems to be a project on every corner.
This is a positive for construction workers, contractors and the economy. Still, it is undeniable that construction work is extraordinarily dangerous. Heavy equipment, large vehicles, working at great heights and manipulating complicated tools are just some of the risks workers face.
Regardless of how vigilant employers, safety entities and workers are, there are bound to be accidents with injuries and fatalities. The New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) keeps track of accidents so it can find ways to enhance safety. The most recent numbers showed a worrisome trend for 2022 that workers and their families should be cognizant of.
From 2021 to 2022, there was a substantial increase in construction accidents
In the 2022 New York City Construction Safety Report, the number of construction site accidents rose by 9.7% from 2021. Overall, there were 751 accidents with 554 people being injured and 11 losing their lives. This was 39 more incidents; 49 more injuries; and two more fatalities than in 2021.
More than 50% of the construction deaths in both years combined were due to falls. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, this is the most frequent reason for construction deaths in general.
The concern for worker safety was so intense that the city embarked on a safety and enforcement campaign to make sites safer. Despite that, construction work is inherently dangerous and workers should think about what they will do if they are unfortunate enough to be in an accident.
Workers’ compensation
Given the dangers construction workers face, it is vital to know what alternatives are available. Workers’ compensation can be imperative to cover for lost income and pay for medical care. It is also wise to understand how to hold negligent employers, equipment manufacturers and others accountable for errors and mistakes they might have made.