Construction accidents can be prevented by implementing consistent, non-negotiable standards for safety. Property owners and construction managers are responsible for the safety of a construction site. They must take measures to ensure that people working on the site and people who enter the site as non-workers are safe from injury or death caused by a construction accident. When site managers and owners fail to take precautionary measures, they may be held responsible for any injuries or deaths that occur.

Companies and Workers Must Take Steps to Minimize Risk in Construction Sites

There may be multiple parties responsible for safety failures on a construction site.

Liable parties may include:

• An engineer
• A site manager or contractor
• The owner of a site
• The site architect

All parties on a construction site must take steps to reduce the risk of injury and death to the greatest possible extent. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that construction is the most dangerous professional field in terms of workplace safety, and unsafe construction sites may pose risks to non-workers as well.

The NSC discusses several tips for reducing the risk of injury on a worksite:

• Ensure people who enter a construction site are using safety equipment
• Ensure all workers are properly trained in safety-conscious work practices
• Be on constant alert for possible safety hazards
• Ensure all workers have slip-resistant shoes
• Stop work when potentially dangerous weather conditions occur
• Ensure equipment, such as tools, are being used properly
• Ensure ladders have locking mechanisms engaged

Beyond what the NSC advises, those responsible for construction site safety must take safety measures specific to the site and conditions in question. Every construction site presents unique hazards, and everyone involved at the site must constantly be working to prevent injury and death.

Statistics Show that Construction Accidents Remain a Problem

New York Law provides particularly strong worker safety rules. Despite these regulations, serious injuries and death are a persistent problem. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) documents work-related deaths ranging back to 2017, most of which many occurred in a construction setting.

Hazards depicted in these statistics include:

• Falls from scaffolding
• Falls from ladders
• Excavated material collapses
• Electrocution
• Falling items, including boards, tools, and materials including steel beams
• Wall collapses
• Being struck by a ceiling or other support structures

The number of hazards present on a New York construction site may be far greater than the average workplace. The New York City Department of Buildings maintains a running account of construction accident reports. According to their data, common causes for injuries and fatalities on construction sites include falls, scaffolding collapses, equipment misuse or malfunction, falling materials, and soil-related operation failures.

If you or a loved one were seriously injured because of dangerous or unsafe conditions on a construction site, you may be able to collect substantial compensation for your physical, emotional, and economic damages. The experienced and dedicated lawyers at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP have been fighting for injured workers since 1988. Our team is standing by to help you recover the fair and just financial compensation you deserve.