It should surprise no one who works in construction or who has a loved one who does that falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. Many of these fatalities result from falls from a great height.
For example, just after New Year’s, a worker fell to their death from the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan, which is undergoing renovation. According to the New York City Department of Buildings, the worker was on a “catwalk” between the third and fourth stories “walking on top of the drywall ceiling when they fell 40 feet below.”
Working in unfinished buildings or those being renovated can mean walking on surfaces that aren’t stable. Construction sites have unprotected edges and sides and holes in walls and floors that may not be noticeable until someone puts weight on them. Even debris on the floor can cause a worker to trip and potentially fall onto a heavy piece of equipment or cement floor.
Scaffolding, lifts and ladders
The equipment that workers use to move between floors on the exterior of a project or to stand on to work (like scaffold platforms and aerial lifts) can be defective, worn or unstable. This can also lead to catastrophic falls.
Working on scaffolding can be particularly dangerous if has to hold the weight of building materials and equipment in addition to workers. If there aren’t proper guardrails and other safety systems, it can be possible for a worker to lose their balance and fall even if scaffolding doesn’t collapse.
Using ladders – especially extension ladders – can be particularly dangerous. Those who use ladders professionally and the people who supervise them need to be properly trained to position the ladder correctly, to be able to spot cracked or broken parts.
Proper safeguards need to be in place
Among the safety measures that should be present on a construction site to help prevent falls or at least minimize serious injuries are guardrail systems and personal fall arrest systems like harnesses and connectors. However, they, too have to be in good working order and workers must be trained to use them.
Most construction workers who suffer injuries are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. In some cases – for example, if a faulty piece of equipment was to blame – a third party like a manufacturer may have liability.
It’s crucial for injured workers and surviving loved ones of those whose injuries were fatal to know what their options are for getting the compensation to which they’re entitled. Getting experienced legal guidance as soon as possible is the best way to protect workers’ rights.