Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog
Serious construction accidents have been on the rise in recent years, especially in high-population areas, such as Boston, New York, and New Jersey. In response, safety advocates are pushing for increased training requirements for workers in the construction industry. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has announced his plan to implement additional construction worker training requirements, but the real estate industry has concerns. Why?
If de Blasio and New York union leaders achieve their goal and increase training requirements for the construction industry, workers will need to receive dozens of hours of additional training, which translates to higher real estate costs and less time to complete construction jobs. Politico reports that, “In response to a recent uptick in injuries and deaths, City Hall is proposing a requirement that all workers be trained between 54 and 71 hours.” And the extra training doesn’t stop there.
The “proposal would require an extra 30 hours of training for supervisors, and certain workers would have to undergo additional ‘task specific training,’ such as working in confined spaces and with scaffolding.” Extra training couldn’t be anything but positive for the safety and well-being of construction workers and the general public, but it’s evident why the real estate industry is concerned. Before the proposed deal is approved, however, it requires City Council approval. A MA work injury lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you or a loved one has been injured in a work-related accident.
Construction Safety
It’s as-yet unknown whether the new proposal will pass. In the meantime, construction workers and employers can dramatically reduce the risk of serious injury or death by following the safety guidelines below:
- Workers should always use personal protective equipment, such as safety goggles, foot protection, slip resistant, safety-toed boots, snug-fitting gloves, and a hard hat.
- Scaffolds should meet all safety requirements established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
- Where electrical work is being done, a lockout/tagout system should always be in place.
- Extension cords should always have grounding prongs.
- Multiple plug adapters should never be used at a construction site.
- Where floor openings exist, a guardrail or appropriate cover should be used at all times.
- Permanent floor openings should be framed with toeboards.
- Where surfaces are elevated, post signs indicating a change in surface height.
- Establish hazard communication protocol.
- Only properly trained and qualified workers should operate cranes, and hoisting or rigging equipment.
In 2015, a total of 25 construction workers died on NYC construction sites, compared to 17 in 2011. Not surprisingly, undocumented immigrant workers have the greatest risk of serious injury or death on construction sites. A Boston work injury lawyer can help you recover damages if you’ve been injured in a work-related accident.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Boston’s Top Work Injury Law Firm
If you have been injured on the job, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of MA workers for more than 50 years. Most work-related injuries are covered by workers’ compensation, but even minor application errors can result in delayed or reduced benefits. Further, if negligence played a role in your accident, you may be entitled to additional benefits for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. At Altman & Altman, LLP, our experienced, knowledgeable attorneys have an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for our clients. We will analyze the details of your case to determine the best legal strategy for moving forward, and remain by your side throughout the entire process. If you’ve been injured, we can help. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.
