Missing or Failed Safety Equipment

Building and contracting workers have a right to expect that their construction worksites will be safe places to work. Safety equipment will not only be available for use by all workers, but employers will maintain it, repair or replace non-functioning safety equipment and continually train all employees about best practices regarding safety.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a construction site accident in South Jersey and believe missing or broken or improper safety equipment caused your injuries, call Ron Graziano of Graziano & Flynn, P.C. He was a certified trial attorney for over 25 years, and he will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

On any day of the year, there are more than 250,000 construction work sites in the United States, employing about 6.5 million workers. It stands to reason, statistically, that since construction is a high-injury business, there are more severe injuries and fatalities on these worksites than any other industry. Some of the potential work hazards on construction sites include:

• Trench collapse or excavation accident
• Fall from heights
• Scaffolding collapse
• Electrocution or shock
• Slip and Fall
• Heavy machinery accidents
• Fork Lift accidents

New Jersey’s Department of Labor enforces regulations designed to keep construction workers safe. Many programs are in place to offer construction general contractors (GCs) guidelines on how to equip worksites with safety equipment and properly train employers to use it to keep everyone on the job safe. Workers have a responsibility to stay alert and aware of their surroundings and use provided safety equipment at all times

On the other hand, the GC must make sure those safety precautions and equipment are in place and in working order. If you get hurt on a worksite due to the negligence of your employer, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more.

Here are some examples of mandatory safety precautions, according to OSHA:

• Scaffolding: Guardrails, toe boards and midrails must be installed correctly. Any braces, brackets or ladders that are missing or broken must be replaced or repaired.
• Fall Protection: Safety nets and/body harnesses must be installed and aerial lifts should be made available where appropriate to provide safer elevated working conditions.
• Ladders: Make sure you are using the proper ladder for the task at hand. Always inspect ladders for broken rungs and repair or replace equipment immediately.
• Stairway safety: Slips, trips and falls on staircases are common at construction sites. All stairways with four or more steps must be equipped with handrails. Treads and walkways must be kept clear of debris.
• Trenches: Protective systems must be installed at all times.
• Cranes: Equipment must be in proper working order. Crane weight capacity must be posted. Employees must be prohibited against exceeding that capacity.
• Hazardous Materials: Train employees about risks of hazmats. Put systems in place to clean up all spills immediately. Provide protective clothing for all employees working in areas where hazmats are present and enforce the use of the protective equipment.
• Forklifts: Train all operators to work forklifts safely.
• Electrical Equipment: Employers must maintain electrical circuit boxes with proper grounds and prohibit work on “hot” wires until the power is shut off.

Additionally, all construction employees must be protected from falling objects or contact with any electrical hazards or overhead machinery. Hard hats must be provided and maintained for each and every employee on the work site. Similarly, employees must be provided with, and encouraged to wear, foot, hand, and face protective apparel.

If you work in construction in the State of New Jersey, you should know that your employer is bound, by law, to keep you safe while on the job. There must be ample, working safety equipment on site at all times. Additionally, you and the rest of the crew must be properly trained on how to use the safety equipment and how to follow safety procedures in case of an accident.

If you have been hurt at work on a construction site because your employer failed to take the appropriate actions to keep you safe, you may be able to recoup money to pay for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. Lawyer Ron Graziano, managing partner at Graziano & Flynn, P.C., will take your case and fight tirelessly on your behalf to get you the compensation you deserve. For a free, initial consultation to discuss your case, call us today or send us an email and we will respond promptly.