New
York Scaffolding Accident
Attorney
Labor Law Sec. 240, the “Scaffold
Law,” requires building
owners and general contractors
to provide workers with proper
scaffolds, hoists, harnesses,
and other appropriate worksite
safety equipment for use
when working at elevations.
According to the U.S. Bureau
of Labor Statistics, construction
is the one of the most dangerous
industries, accounting for
a record high 20.8% of all
workplace deaths in 2001.
New York City construction
accident statistics compiled
by the Department of Buildings
document that, notwithstanding
the Scaffold Law, scaffolding
safety remains a serious
problem at many worksites.
According to the Department,
during 2002 scaffolding accidents
comprised 56% of 101 recorded
construction accidents.
Are you in need
of a New York scaffolding
accident attorney? Contact
our New York scaffolding
accident attorney for a free
consultation today!
The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration
(OSHA) has estimated that
65% of construction employees
work on scaffolds frequently,
so it is not surprising that
some of the most common accidents
at construction sites involve
scaffolds or other types
of lifts, hoists, or ladders.
These accidents are typically
the most serious in terms
of severity of injuries,
which can result from construction
workers' falls from defective,
improperly installed, or
unreasonably safe scaffold
equipment; an employer's
failure to ensure the use
of protective equipment;
and by objects falling onto
workers from scaffolds, lifts,
and ladders.
Every employer, supervisor,
and worker involved in work
from scaffolds must comply
with OSHA regulations as
to, among other considerations,
construction and inspection:
Design & Construction
- The design and construction
of scaffolds must conform
with OSHA requirements concerning
type of equipment, rated
capacities, construction
methods, and use. Each scaffold
and scaffold component must
be capable of supporting
its own weight plus at least
four times the maximum intended
load without failure. Each
suspension rope must be capable
of supporting at least six
times the maximum intended
load.
Inspection - Employers should
require a competent person
to inspect all scaffolds
and scaffold components for
visible defects before use
on each work shift. Scaffolds
should be erected, moved,
dismantled, or altered only
under the supervision of
a competent person. All components
of personal fall protection
equipment (including body
belts or harnesses, lanyards,
droplines, trolley lines,
and points of anchorage)
should be inspected by a
competent person before use.
Any visibly damaged or worn
equipment should be removed
from service immediately.
Are you in need
of a New York scaffolding
accident attorney? Contact
our New York scaffolding
accident attorney for a free
consultation today!
We stand ready to help you
in every way. Remember to
call an experienced scaffolding
accident attorney to learn
your legal rights.
For more information, please visit
our links page.
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NY Post Article: $4.5M
AWARD FOR HARDHAT'S HORROR
Michael Gunzburg is
a New York Scaffolding
Injury Attorney serving
the New York Metropolitan
area, including New
York City, Bronx, Brooklyn,
Manhattan, Queens, Staten
Island, Nassau, Suffolk,
Westchester, Rockland and
Orange County. |
