New York Construction Site Falls Remain High

Contact our knowledgeable New York Scaffolding Law Attorneys at The Law Firm of Asaro & Associates, P.C. today for a free case evaluation at (347) 231-5459.

The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) releases an annual report on construction fatalities in the State.  According to the most recent data, researchers found that New York construction sites remain “highly dangerous” despite increased safety measures.  Findings in the report show that “New York State’s construction fatality rate has increased by 39% in the past five years.”  

What are the top causes of New York construction site fatalities?

Of construction site fatalities in New York City and statewide, falls are the top cause of death.  Over the past decade, just under half of all construction site fatalities in New York are the result of falls.  One of the most common injuries at construction sites is from improper scaffolding construction. A scaffolding fall can be deadly and result in a large number of catastrophic injuries each year.  Other fall hazards include unprotected roof edges or floor openings, unsecured ladders, and a lack of harness or safety net. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), other leading causes of construction site fatalities include:

• Workers being struck by objects
• Electrocutions
• Deaths from being “caught-in or compressed by equipment or objects” (including when a person is “struck, caught or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment or material”)

Known as OSHA’s Fatal Four, these account for over half of construction worker deaths in any given year.  Eliminating these hazards would save hundreds of lives.

What percentage of fall-related deaths in New York result from workers falling from scaffolding?

According to OSHA, falls account for over 1/3 of all construction-related deaths.  In New York, the percentage is even higher. Of fall-related deaths at New York construction sites, 25% were from scaffolding, as reported by the New York City Health Department Bureau of Vital Statistics.  Falls from scaffolding usually occur because the planking or support gave way.  All scaffolding should have an appropriate amount of support. Unsupported scaffolding can collapse, causing injury or death.  Additionally, if the scaffold is overloaded or not equipped with guardrails, then it can present a highly dangerous situation.

Understanding New York’s Scaffold Safety Law

In an effort to reduce the number of construction site fatalities, NYCOSH recommends preserving New York’s Scaffold Safety Law.  New York has some of the strictest standards regarding scaffolding in the nation. Section 240 and 241 of New York’s Labor Laws require that construction site owners and operators provide proper protection when utilizing scaffolding. This includes that all scaffolding be constructed “to bear four times the maximum weight required to be dependent therefrom or placed thereon when in use.”

Hiring a New York Scaffolding Fall Attorney

The Law Office of Asaro & Associates is dedicated to helping those injured from construction site accidents.  Our attorneys have over 50 years of combined experience representing fall victims and those injured in worksite accidents.  We will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve after an accident or injury. We will hold negligent parties accountable for their wrongdoing.  Whether there was a failure to provide proper safety equipment or non-compliance with New York’s Scaffold Laws, we can help.Contact our knowledgeable New York Scaffolding Law Attorneys today for a free case evaluation at (347) 231-5459.