Working in Winter Weather? Here Are the Most Common Hazards

New York City workers’ compensation lawyers discuss the dangers of working in the winter months.

Working during winter can be dangerous in many professions, especially in New York. Many workers sustain severe injuries due to hazardous winter weather, whether working outside at a construction site or jobs requiring clearing away snow.

When this happens, injured workers in New York should receive workers’ compensation benefits that cover all injury-related costs. But the workers’ compensation system in New York can be confusing, especially if you’re still dealing with the aftermath of a serious workplace accident.

The experienced New York workers’ compensation attorneys at Law Offices of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP understand why people often get hurt at work during the winter. That’s why we want to meet with you to learn more about your winter workplace accident.

What are dangerous winter jobs?

The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) recently created a winter workplace safety guide designed to prevent serious workplace injuries in winter. In the guide, OSHA identified specific jobs that often involve winter-related workplace injuries. These jobs and professions include:

• Construction workers who work outdoors in winter.
• Maintenance workers who are responsible for removing snow or clearing away ice.
• Snowplow drivers who only work during snowstorms or blizzards.
• Emergency response workers (police, firefighters, etc.) who have to drive during hazardous winter weather.
• Utility workers who have to work during dangerous winter weather.
• Road rescue workers (tow truck operators, in particular) who need to help stranded motorists.

Why do winter workplace accidents happen?

Winter-related workplace accidents occur for a wide range of reasons, including:

• Slipping and falling on snow or ice-covered sidewalks, steps, and stairwells.
• Snow or ice falling off buildings and injuring workers below.
• Lower back injuries caused by shoveling snow.
• Work-related car accidents involving vehicles colliding during hazardous weather.
• Being electrocuted by coming into contact with downed power lines.
• Hand or other body part being caught in a snowblower.

How to prevent winter workplace accidents

According to OSHA, workers and employers can take steps to prevent winter-related workplace injuries. Such safety steps include:

• Before driving in snow or on ice, ensure the vehicle has working brakes and tires that can handle deep snow or icy weather conditions, such as snow tires or studded snow tires.
• Don’t attempt to lift a large amount of snow when shoveling. Also, take breaks so that you don’t overexert yourself.
• If removing snow from rooftops, use proper footwear with a firm grip and good tread. Also, ensure you don’t push snow off the roof onto people below.
• If working near downed power lines, don’t come into contact with them for any reason.

Many other safety steps can be taken to avoid a work-related accident due to hazardous winter weather. When in doubt, tell your employer about your concerns and ask them to take steps to keep you and everyone else on the job safe.

Why should I hire a New York workers’ compensation attorney?

Workers’ compensation cases in New York involving winter-related accidents can quickly turn into complicated legal cases. That’s why it’s critical that injured workers talk to an attorney who understands how the system works here.

Our New York City workers’ compensation lawyers at the Law Offices of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP can help you every step of the way. Whether you need assistance filling out forms or filing a workers’ compensation claim, we know how the process works from start to finish.

Get the law firm that gets results. Contact us and schedule an appointment with a lawyer you can count on when it matters most. We have 12 offices conveniently located throughout New York, including five offices in New York City.