New York State has a number of laws which have provided protection to workers on the job from being injured. Many of these injuries involve elevation-related risk. This means that a worker may fall from an elevated height or something may fall from above upon a worker. These laws are commonly referred to as “scaffold laws” or simply New York Labor Laws.

New York Labor Law Sections 200, 240 and 241(6) apply to a number of different types of building activity including construction & demolition, alteration of a building involving significant physical change, cleaning and repairing.

Under §240 of that law, workers are required to have safety devices such that would prevent and injury. The law requires that: All contractors and owners shall furnish or erect, or cause to be furnished or erected for the erection, demolition, repairing, altering, cleaning or painting of a building or structure, scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person so employed.

Included in safety devices are scaffolding and ladders. Scaffolding can be made of wood or metal and are generally required to have safety railings. Scaffolding must have proper footings and tie-ins and are made and constructed in different applications including pole scaffolds, outrigger scaffolds, suspended scaffolds, carpenters portable scaffolds, trestle and extension ladder scaffolds, ladder jack scaffolds and manually propelled mobile scaffolds. Scaffolds must have proper planking, adequate bracing and sufficient overhead protection to prevent injury from falling objects.

Under §200 of the Labor Law, workers must have a safe place to work. The law provides that workplaces are required to be so constructed, equipped, arranged, operated and conducted so as the provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, health and safety of all persons employed.

Further, under §241[6] of the New York Labor Law, all areas in which construction, excavation or demolition work is being performed shall be so constructed, shored, equipped, guarded, arranged, operated and conducted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety to the persons employed.

The use of ladders as safety devices is also an important aspect of construction safety. Ladders are required to have sufficient strength and have to be maintained in safe condition. Also ladder footings have to be firm and placed such that they do not slip out from beneath construction workers. They may also have to be braced. Ladders that are not correctly placed, constructed and maintained can be very hazardous to on site workers.

Work sites are also governed by OSHA [Occupational Safety & Health Administration] and sometimes by municipal regulations.

If you are injured on a worksite, you should consult with your attorney to see if your claim would qualify under New York Labor Laws. If you are injured and cannot return to work, your claim will involve the loss of wages, the loss of any benefits you may have, the loss of future income, the current, past and future costs of medical care and your claim for pain and suffering from the injuries sustained. If the injury results in death of a loved one, you should see your attorney as soon as possible as there are time limits under which claims must be brought. These time limits are known commonly as statutes of limitation. A failure to commence a legal action within the time permitted by law will bar your action in Court.

So, the best rule is see your attorney early and get all of the information you need

On construction sites in New York, heavy equipment is often used in the demolition and construction of buildings and structures. This equipment can include dump trucks, compactors, rollers, cranes, excavators, front shovels, loader backhoes, forklifts, loaders, motor graders, rock trucks, scrapers, skid steerers, pay loaders, bulldozers, trench compactors, jumping jacks and demolition excavators.

New York State has a number of laws which have provided protection to workers on the job from being injured. Many of these injuries involve elevation-related risk. This means that a worker may fall from an elevated height or something may fall from above upon a worker. These laws are commonly referred to as “scaffold laws” or simply New York Labor Laws.

Under §240 of that law, workers are required to have safety devices such that would prevent and injury. The law requires that: All contractors and owners shall furnish or erect, or cause to be furnished or erected for the erection, demolition, repairing, altering, cleaning or painting of a building or structure, scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person so employed.

Under §200 of the Labor Law, workers must have a safe place to work. The law provides that workplaces are required to be so constructed, equipped, arranged, operated and conducted so as the provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, health and safety of all persons employed.

Further, under §241[6] of the New York Labor Law, all areas in which construction, excavation or demolition work is being performed shall be so constructed, shored, equipped, guarded, arranged, operated and conducted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety to the persons employed.

Work sites are also governed by OSHA [Occupational Safety & Health Administration] and sometimes by municipal regulations.

Workers can be seriously injured in bulldozer rollovers, forklift collapse and failure, falling cranes, trench collapse, burn injuries, electrocution injuries, dropping and collapsing scaffolds and scaffolding. Injuries can also be caused by falling site debris, unsafe and hazardous ramps and defective work areas, equipment malfunction, machinery accidents and elevator accidents. Injuries can also occur by falling into uncovered or unguarded floor openings, all of which lack safety rails and guards.

If you are injured on a worksite, you should consult with your attorney to see if your claim would qualify under New York Labor Laws. If you are injured and cannot return to work, your claim will involve the loss of wages, the loss of any benefits you may have, the loss of future income, the current, past and future costs of medical care and your claim for pain and suffering from the injuries sustained. If the injury results in death of a loved one, you should see your attorney as soon as possible as there are time limits under which claims must be brought. These time limits are known commonly as statutes of limitation. A failure to commence a legal action within the time permitted by law will bar your action in Court.

Work sites are also governed by OSHA [Occupational Safety & Health Administration] and sometimes by municipal regulations.

So, the best rule is see your attorney early and get all of the information you need.

Each year, workers on roadway construction sites are seriously injured. They may even die as a result of lack of safety procedures and measures, which are for the most part preventable with the use of safety education and training. One aspect of safety is for workers to be highly visible to oncoming traffic and to other vehicles at the job site. This means wearing clothing that stands out, or high visibility safety apparel, particularly during nighttime operations.

ANSI, or the American National Standards Institute, a national non-profit organization for uniformity in safety standards has promulgated rules for safety in construction, utility work, maintenance and repair activities. These safety standards include flagger safety, run over and back over prevention, equipment operator safety, illumination and the use of personal protective equipment. Further, worker safety training programs are available for education and ultimately, for prevention of injuries and death from roadway construction accidents.

Traffic control is another area of concern when dealing with roadway construction. There are methods and procedures for safe movement and guidance of traffic such that workers or other drivers are not placed harm and danger with the flow of vehicles. If these procedures are not followed, serious accidents can occur.

If you are injured on a roadway construction site, you should consult with your attorney to see if your injury could have been reasonably prevented by the use of safety devices, traffic management or other safety systems.

If you are injured and cannot return to work, your claim will involve the loss of wages, the loss of any benefits you may have, the loss of future income, the current, past and future costs of medical care and your claim for pain and suffering from the injuries sustained. If the injury results in death of a loved one, you should see your attorney as soon as possible as there are time limits under which claims must be brought. These time limits are known commonly as statutes of limitation. A failure to commence a legal action within the time permitted by law will bar your action in Court.

So, the best rule is see your attorney early and get all of the information you need.

For many building, inventory and construction sites, heavy equipment is necessary for earth movement, aggregate transportation, excavation and site grading. Another type of heavy equipment is the forklift and related machinery known as powered industrial truck. These machines are vital for movement of construction materials and are particularly useful in loading and unloading operations for all types of materials and liquids.

As with any piece of heavy equipment, they must be used in a way that ensures the safety of the operator and of the persons and workers in and about the machines. Operators of forklifts, even ones with a lot of experience, can get fatigued and be distracted in operations. Safety training programs promote a culture of safety on the job and can prevent serious accidents. Operators have to be protected from injury on rollovers, so they are not thrown or crushed by the machine.

The US Department of Labor has promulgated recommendations and work practices for heavy equipment operation like forklifts. Some of the recommendations include that such vehicles only handle loads within the rated capacity of the truck; that loads be carried in a low position; that reverse travel be done with a clear view; that vehicles ascend and descend grades slowly; that the machines are not modified without manufacturer approval; that when left unattended, that load-engaging means are fully lowered, controls neutralized and power shut off and brakes are set; that they keep a safe distance from edges, including ramps and platforms; that dockboards and bridge plates are capable of withstanding the load imposed and properly secured.

Failure to follow safety recommendations and guidelines can result in serious injury or death. If you are injured by the unsafe use of a forklift or powered industrial truck, you should consult with your attorney to see if your injury could have been reasonably prevented by the use of safety recommendations, safety training or other safety systems.

If you are injured and cannot return to work, your claim will involve the loss of wages, the loss of any benefits you may have, the loss of future income, the current, past and future costs of medical care and your claim for pain and suffering from the injuries sustained. If the injury results in death of a loved one, you should see your attorney as soon as possible as there are time limits under which claims must be brought.

So, the best rule is see your attorney early and get all of the information you need.

For major construction sites, heavy equipment is necessary for earth movement, aggregate transportation, excavation and site grading. One type of heavy equipment is the bulldozer. Usually very large and heavy, they are used often for site preparation on construction sites, both residential and commercial.

As with any piece of heavy equipment, they must be used in a way that ensures the safety of the operator and of the persons and workers in and about the machines. Operators of bulldozers, even ones with a lot of experience, can get fatigued and be distracted in operations. Safety training programs promote a culture of safety on the job and can prevent serious accidents. Operators have to be protected from injury on rollovers, so they are not thrown or crushed by the machine.

The US Department of Labor has promulgated recommendations for use of heavy equipment operation. Some of the recommendations include that all vehicles have service brake, emergency brake and parking brake system; that operators are properly trained; that vehicles are checked at the beginning of each shift; that vehicles are not operated in reverse with obstructed views without a rear signal alarm; vehicles should have roll-over protection for operators and from falling hazards; that vehicles are equipped with seat belts.

If you are injured by the unsafe use of a bulldozer or excavation equipment, you should consult with your attorney to see if your injury could have been reasonably prevented by the use of safety devices, vehicle direction procedures or other safety systems.

If you are injured and cannot return to work, your claim will involve the loss of wages, the loss of any benefits you may have, the loss of future income, the current, past and future costs of medical care and your claim for pain and suffering from the injuries sustained. If the injury results in death of a loved one, you should see your attorney as soon as possible as there are time limits under which claims must be brought.

So, the best rule is see your attorney early and get all of the information you need.