Ironworkers and steelworkers play crucial roles in the construction industry. They are responsible for assembling, erecting, and reinforcing structures made of steel or iron and often work at elevations on scaffolds, ladders, etc. While these professions are essential for building infrastructure, they come with inherent risks, often resulting in injuries, particularly due to unsafe conditions or safety violations at the worksite. If you are an ironworker or steelworker who has been injured in a New York construction accident, it is important that you understand your legal rights and options.
Here are the six common injuries ironworkers and steelworkers suffer at construction sites:
1. Falls:
Falls are one of the most significant hazards in the construction industry, and ironworkers and steelworkers are not exempt from this risk. These laborers often work at considerable heights while erecting steel structures, connecting steel beams, or doing maintenance. Common causes of falls include improper safety precautions, unstable working surfaces, and adverse weather conditions. Inadequate fall protection and the lack of safety harnesses and guardrails, can contribute to severe injuries or fatalities.
To prevent falls, workers should receive comprehensive training in fall protection measures and equipment use. Workers must receive safety equipment like harnesses, lifelines, and the work area should have guardrails installed. Regular inspections of equipment and work areas should be conducted to identify and rectify potential fall hazards.
2. Struck-By Injuries:
Struck-by accidents occur when workers are hit by objects, equipment, or materials on the job site. Ironworkers and steelworkers are at risk of being struck by heavy steel beams, tools, or construction machinery. These accidents can result from material handling errors, inadequate communication, or insufficient warning systems.
Workers should be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hard hats and high-visibility clothing, goggles to reduce the risk of struck-by accidents. Proper communication and signaling methods, as well as designated safe zones, can help prevent these incidents. Adequate training in material handling and safety protocols is essential.
3. Crush Injuries:
Working with heavy steel beams and equipment poses a risk of crush injuries. This type of injury can occur when workers are caught between two objects, such as steel beams, or when heavy equipment malfunctions. Crush injuries can lead to severe trauma, fractures, and even fatalities.
Workers should be trained in safe work practices and instructed on how to maintain and use equipment correctly. Machinery should be regularly inspected to identify and address any potential issues that can lead to crush injuries.
4. Burns:
Welding and cutting are integral to the work of ironworkers and steelworkers. These tasks involve the use of high-temperature equipment and open flames, which can cause burn injuries. Burns can vary in severity, from minor skin burns to more serious injuries that require immediate medical attention.
Workers should be provided appropriate personal protective equipment, including flame-resistant clothing, welding helmets, and gloves, to minimize the risk of burns. Proper training in safe welding and cutting techniques is essential to reduce the likelihood of these types of accidents.
5. Electrical Injuries:
Construction sites often have electrical systems and wiring that may pose hazards to workers. Ironworkers and steelworkers working on or near these systems can be at risk of electrical shocks and injuries. These injuries can result from contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or improper use of electrical tools. Workers should receive training in electrical safety and be aware of the locations of electrical hazards on the job site.
6. Welding-Related Eye Injuries:
Welding processes emit intense ultraviolet and infrared radiation that can damage the eyes if not adequately protected. Welders, including steelworkers and ironworkers, are at risk of developing arc eye (welder’s flash) or more severe eye injuries if they do not use proper eye protection. Workers should be provided welding helmets or face shields with appropriate shading to protect their eyes from welding arc radiation.
Contacting an Experienced Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys at the Law Offices of Kenneth A. Wilhelm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. For over 53 years, our skilled accident attorneys have established a proven track record of helping injured victims get fair compensation for their losses. Our law firm recovered $3,375,576 for a construction worker (an undocumented immigrant) who was injured on the job — one of the highest construction case settlements in New York that year. Also, one of our clients obtained a verdict for $43,940,000 and another of our clients got a verdict for $23,500,000, both in medical malpractice cases.
Please contact us TOLL FREE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-WORK-4-YOU (1-800-967-5496). WE CAN EVEN COME TO YOU. There is no attorneys’ fee unless we recover money for you. We can also help with personal injury, lead poisoning and medical malpractice cases including, brachial plexus palsy (Erb’s palsy) and cerebral palsy cases in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, or Florida. If you have been seriously injured in any of the 50 U.S. states, please call us and we will try to help you with your case.
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