When you work on a New York construction site, safety is a top priority. However, accidents can easily occur, and those which result from falling into a hole on the site can have serious ramifications. At Smiley and Smiley, LLP, we understand that these injuries can have a far-reaching effect on your life.
Construction sites can be hazardous places, even with the best safety regulations. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, your employer is responsible for ensuring that you have a safe work environment. This means that you should typically receive training about the kinds of hazards you might encounter on the job and that any known risks should be eliminated. You also should have a work environment which is clean, with access to the necessary safety equipment.
Because falls cause many injuries, it is especially important for your employer to implement practices to prevent them. Your job site should generally have both hand rails and stair rails, as well as safety nets. Toe-boards and guard rails are also necessary if you work on an elevated platform with open sides. Although you may think working on the edge of a building is most hazardous, you might also fall through holes in the floor. Usually, these holes should be guarded by covers or railings.
Despite close attention to safety, you may accidentally fall through a hole on your construction site. This may sometimes be due to negligence; floor covers may break if they are not meant to support your weight, and clutter can obscure holes. The injuries you sustain from this kind of fall can be severe, and you may find that you lose wages because you are unable to work. Our web page about falls can offer more information.