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There is no doubt that construction is one of the most dangerous occupations in the country. Each day, approximately 6.5 million workers are employed at approximately 252,000 construction sites across the United States, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Construction workers are more likely to suffer fatal injuries than workers in all other industries. Over 4,000 construction accidents occur in the United States each year, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Approximately 11 deaths occur each day as a result of this. Nearly 30% of all fatalities in construction accidents are caused by falls. Deaths resulting from being struck by an object, electrocution, and getting trapped in/between accidents are also among the leading causes of death. Some of these accidents are caused by faulty equipment or negligence on the part of the contractor, while others are simply the result of bad luck.
It is also important to note that construction accidents have a high financial cost. Approximately $200 billion is spent annually on fatal and nonfatal accidents in the construction industry according to OSHA. in this context, direct costs such as medical expenses as well as indirect costs such as lost productivity are included. As a result of these statistics, the importance of safety within the construction industry cannot be overstated. It is the responsibility of contractors and employees to ensure that they follow all safety regulations in order to help prevent accidents.
A significant amount of money is generated by the construction industry each year. Nevertheless, it is an industry that poses a great deal of danger to its workers. In addition, many people make their living by working on construction sites, but employers and workers must take precautions to ensure safe working conditions. It is essential that workers and foremen have access to and use safety equipment at construction sites. Safety at a construction site can be greatly improved through the use of personal protective equipment and other critical safety instruments. Therefore, it is important to know what is required as well as what is recommended as far as safety equipment is concerned when working on a construction site.
When a construction worker is injured or wrongfully killed due to a lack of essential protective equipment on the construction site, they will have the best chance at receiving the compensation they deserve by hiring an experienced Queens construction accident lawyer. Not all construction accidents are preventable, therefore construction workers should have the best representation through a Queens construction accident lawyer by their side when pursuing the compensation they deserve.
Personal protective equipment is more commonly referred to as PPE and is considered to be equipment that is necessary to avoid or minimize exposure to construction site hazards that could cause workplace injuries, illness, or death. PPE can protect construction workers from hazards including:
Chemical hazards
Radiological hazards
Physical hazards
Electrical hazards
Mechanical hazards
Other workplace hazards
There are many different forms of PPE that can be found. The most common forms of PPE on construction sites include:
Gloves
Safety glasses
Safety shoes
Earplugs
Hard hats
Respirators
Coveralls
High visibility vests
Full body suits
New York and federal regulations are in place that requires construction workers to wear personal protective equipment. This is in an effort to reduce the risk of being exposed to construction site hazards, as many construction employees are victims of blindness, occupational disease, and chemical burn injuries from construction work. Many times these injuries occur as a result of an employer’s failure to ensure all employees had access and were using PPE.
OSHA regulates PPE in the construction industry, and they explicitly state that employers are required to provide workers with PPE. Occupational safety and health regulations require all personal protective equipment provided by the employer to be of safe design and construction, clean and in good working condition, and to be used for activities with an identified risk of injury. Moreover, employers must train each worker on how to use each piece of PPE, including when to use it, how to wear it properly and how to properly maintain or dispose of it. As a final step, the employer is also responsible for paying for the required PPE and for replacing it when it is damaged or no longer meets safety standards.
Personal protective equipment that employers are not responsible for paying for are:
Clothes that provide the necessary injury protection (e.g., long-sleeved shirts or long pants)
Protective creams, sunglasses, sunscreen, or other items specifically designed to protect against eh damaging effects of the sun
Prescription sunglasses or safety glasses
Boots suitable for the job site, such as work boots, safety-toed shoes, rubber boots, or street shoes
An everyday weather protection item such as a winter coat, jacket, parka, non work gloves, raincoat, or hat
A construction site is required by federal law to supply workers with the majority of their protective gear. It is their responsibility to ensure that the safety gear is properly maintained and that all workers are knowledgeable about how to use it. The protective equipment includes, with a few exceptions:
All construction sites required workers to wear hard hats. Injuries to the head are prevented by wearing headgear. Swinging or falling objects colliding with the head will also be prevented, as will hitting ht head against something, or accidentally being struck by an electrical hazard. Statistics provided by OSHA indicate that a significant number of fatal injuries are caused by objects falling. Construction workers may suffer severe concussions, permanent brain damage, or even death if a heavy object falls on their heads. When worn appropriately, a hard helmet can save a person’s life if worn correctly. Ensure that hard hats are free of dents, cracks, and other damage prior to use. Don’t wear any hard hat or helmet that has been damaged.
It is possible to suffer painful foot fractures from falling heavy objects, just like an individual can suffer brain damage from falling objects that land on their head. Objects falling from above are even more hazardous to the feet since employees can also drop something onto their feet accidentally. It is important to note that the severity of the injuries will depend on the weight of the object and the height it fell from. Construction equipment falling on an unprotected foot can result in severe injuries and can limit an individual’s mobility for extended periods of time.
Steel-toe boots are recommended for construction workers. In order to avoid crushed toes on the job site, work boots should be worn that provide protection against heavy or falling equipment or materials. Furthermore, they should be equipped with nonslip soles that are puncture-resistant, as work surfaces on construction sites can contain sharp objects, and slips are a major hazard as well.
Hand and finger protection is necessary when performing construction work. Work gloves protect against a wide range of onsite injuries, including cuts, abrasions, chemical exposures, and electrical shocks. Approximately one million Americans are taken to the emergency room annually due ot hand injuries, and only back sprains and strains cause more time away from work. Construction gloves are an essential piece of personal protective equipment.
Different types of work gloves are best suited to particular tasks and risks at construction sites. Gloves can be used for a variety of construction jobs including:
Heavy duty leather or canvas gloves to protect against cuts and burns
Welding gloves for welding
Heavy-duty rubber gloves for working with concrete
Insulated gloves with sleeves for working electrical hazards
Chemical-resistant gloves for working with chemicals
Whenever there is a risk of flying debris or harmful dust getting into the yes, safety glasses or face shields should be worn. There are a number of activities that require protective eyewear, including grinding, welding, chipping, and nailing. Welding shields, chemical splash goggles, and dust goggles are also protective wear for the face.
During bulldozing and welding activities, sawdust and projectiles can cause severe irritation to the eyes in addition to severe vision damage and blindness. When working on a construction site, workers should always wear goggles or some form of eye protection.
