Silica, or quartz, is a common mineral found on many construction sites. Silica is found in masonry, concrete, granite, many types of landscape materials, and even soil and rock. While silica is ubiquitous, it can also be dangerous. When materials containing silica are disturbed in any way- including through cutting or drilling- tiny silica particles...
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Will New OSHA Regulations Help First Responders Avoid NY Workplace Injuries?
First responders include emergency medical technicians, firefighters, and paramedics, among others. These workers provide life-saving medical assistance throughout New York and often go into dangerous situations to provide that help. First responders face significant risks of injury in a wide variety of different situations they encounter as they do their jobs. Now, Business Insurance reports that...
Read MoreNew York City Crane Collapse Underscores Importance of Crane Safety
On a historic Manhattan street located approximately 10 blocks to the north of the World Trade Center, a 565-foot long crane came tumbling down during Friday morning commute hours recently. One pedestrian was killed by the crane, which had collapsed. A row of parked vehicles was also crushed when the crane collapsed. In this particular...
Read MoreDo OSHA Powers Extend to Enterprise-Wide Abatement Orders?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can fine employers for failure to follow standards set by the administration. OSHA can also order abatement when unsafe conditions are identified. When OSHA orders abatement, employers will need to fix problems and remedy dangerous situations in order to keep employees safe. Following OSHA guidelines is best practices...
Read MoreNY Workers Are Protected from Retaliation for Reporting Workplace Injuries
If you get hurt on-the-job, you should be entitled to full protections and benefits available under New York workers' compensation laws. As long as your injury is job-related and you report the injury, your medical bills should be paid and disability benefits provided if the injury prevents you from performing work. Employers are not allowed...
Read MorePost-Injury Treatment is Important After a New York City Work Accident
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently clarified rules on reporting injuries under 29 CFR Part 1904. The relevant rule requires that an employer provide a report to OSHA when a workplace injury results in the loss of consciousness of a worker. In one particular incident, an employee sustained a minor scratch on his finger. After a...
Read MoreWhat Injured Workers Should Know about New York’s Scaffolding Law
Have you suffered a serious injury in a construction accident? When you were injured, were you atop scaffolding and fell? Were you hit by an object that fell from scaffolding at the worksite? If you are a construction worker injured at a work site while up on scaffolding, or if you were hit by...
Read MoreLone Workers in NYC Are at Risk of Injuries and Death
When an employee is sent into the field to work alone, he does not have co-workers present to alert him to possible signs of trouble or dangers in the workplace. Unfortunately, if a problem does develop and the worker sustains an injury or gets sick, he also does not have coworkers available to provide assistance...
Read MoreOSHA Tries to Protect Nurses from NY Work Injuries
Nurses and nursing aids are the professionals in the United States who have the greatest chance of developing a back and an arm injury. The majority of these injuries are from overexertion and occur when moving patients. Nurses are taught proper body mechanics, including to keep the back straight and to lift from the knees. Unfortunately,...
Read MoreOSHA Leaving Workplace Fatality Cases to State Prosecutors
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) can refer cases to the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) for prosecution if criminal misconduct or criminal negligence played a role in causing a workers' death. Prosecuting employers for willful violations of safety rules is a strong deterrent for violations of safety requirements and more prosecutions could reduce workplace injuries and...
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