| Construction accidents dropped in the city of New | | | | Because many construction-related deaths are due to |
| York according to recent statistics, however the | | | | the lack of proper use of safety restraints or due to |
| number of construction accidents and injuries is on the | | | | contractor negligence, many of these preventable |
| rise in 2009. | | | | injuries or deaths have caused those affected to seek |
| The building boom, which has dominated New York | | | | legal counsel from an experienced construction |
| City in the last 10 years, had dwindled, which has | | | | accident lawyer. |
| contributed to the decrease in the number of | | | | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and |
| construction-related deaths. The death rate decrease | | | | Health (NIOSH) reported that the highest number of |
| is the lowest rate in four years - only three deaths | | | | work-related fatalities occurred among construction |
| occurred in 2009 compared to 19 in 2008, an 85 | | | | workers due to construction site accidents. At least |
| percent drop, 12 in 2007 and 18 in 2006. | | | | one out of every 10 construction workers will be |
| Many have credited the drop to an overhaul on safety | | | | involved in a construction injury of some sort each |
| procedures, including increased oversight and additional | | | | year. Although many minor accidents are not reported, |
| enforcement. Unfortunately, the number of reported | | | | more accurate reports nationwide have given officials |
| construction accidents rose in 2009, despite the drop in | | | | a more accurate picture of the risks associated with |
| number of new building permits. Reported injuries | | | | construction sites. |
| jumped from 246 from 178. | | | | The decrease in the number of deaths is promising; |
| More accurate reports from contractors is credited for | | | | however the injury increase has many concerned. |
| the jump in the number of construction accidents and | | | | Construction workers between the ages of 25 and 34 |
| injuries, according to the New York Buildings | | | | are most likely to be injured in a construction accident. |
| Department. | | | | Non-fatal accidents can include broken bones, burns |
| Two of the three deaths were result of the lack of | | | | and head injuries. |
| required safety harnesses. Reliable safety harnesses | | | | Many construction injuries are severe enough to |
| are a vital necessity as falls are the largest contributing | | | | prevent a worker from returning to work. |
| factor for a construction injury. Additional injuries can | | | | Safety on the job site is the responsibility of both |
| be caused by trench collapses, exposure to toxic | | | | construction workers and supervisors. Adhering to |
| chemicals, overexertion, and injury due to defective | | | | safety guidelines and regulations ensure the safety of |
| equipment. | | | | all workers on a construction site. |