A 51-year-old man and his 49-year-old co-worker, both ironworkers, were killed in a construction site accident after they fell 65 feet through an open elevator shaft. Both men were installing steel at a church construction site on West 83rd Street when the tragic accident occurred. They were both transported to local hospitals where they died from their injuries. Officials are investigating what caused this construction site accident and whether safety precautions were taken at the work site.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), fatal work injuries involving falls decreased 20 percent in 2008 after hitting a high in 2007. There were a total of 847 fall-related fatalities in the United States in 2007. Fatal falls to a lower level accounted for 85 percent of all falls.
It is the job of the construction company or property owner, depending on the circumstances, to identify fall hazards and protect workers. The U.S. Department of Labor lists falls as one of the leading causes of traumatic work-related fatalities, accounting for 8 percent of all occupational fatalities. Any time a worker is at a height of 4 feet or more, he or she is at risk and must be protected. Regardless of fall distance, fall protection must be provided at 4 feet in the general industry, 5 feet in maritime and 6 feet in construction.
In such cases, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) will investigate the cause of a fatal fall and also determine whether it could have been prevented. However, it would be in the best interests of the deceased victims’ families to contact an experienced New York construction accident attorney, who will stay on top of the official investigation, make sure their legal rights are protected and that they receive rightful compensation for their losses.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New York construction accident, please contact the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm for a free and comprehensive consultation. We will guide you through what can be a complex legal process and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable. Call us today at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU to find out how we can help you and your family protect your legal rights.
Source: The Daily Freeman