The recent construction boom in New York City has led to increased accidents on worksites. Many have been fatal and the result of safety violations.

Residents of New York City have been aware of a dramatic increase in construction across the city for some time. While construction is necessary to provide places to live, work and drive, the industry is a dangerous one for those who work in it. Each year, thousands of construction workers across the country are killed or injured in accidents on the jobsite. Many of these accidents could have been prevented if the proper procedures were observed or safety regulations were not ignored.

According to The New York Times, this recent construction boom has resulted in a dramatic increase in accidents over the past two years, which have resulted in numerous injuries or fatalities. What is the reason for so many accidents? In some cases, a lack of safety equipment or proper employee training were to blame. Industry experts believe that many construction companies have been cutting corners to get projects done faster or with a minimal amount of labor – both of which pose extreme risks to workers.

SAFETY VIOLATIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANY CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS

Some of the most common safety violations in construction, according to Electrical Construction & Maintenance, result in the types of worksite injuries seen recently across New York City. These include the following:

• Scaffolding violations. Scaffolds should be constructed on stable surfaces, and their walking platforms should be fully covered so workers do not trip or fall through gaps.

• Electrical violations. Electrical cables or wires should be de-energized, or workers should utilize proper grounding procedures before working on electrical equipment. Electrical tools should also be kept in good repair.

• Excavation violations. Trenches, pits and other excavations should be braced to prevent cave-ins, with at least one fast escape route. Workers should understand how to work in deep or gas-filled trenches to avoid oxygen deprivation.

Many of these violations cause accidents of the type that EHS Today terms the “fatal four.” These accidents caused 57 percent of construction deaths across the country in 2012. They include falls, being caught between objects, electrocutions and being struck by objects. It is estimated that 435 construction workers will avoid being killed each year if the fatal four were eliminated.

If you or a loved one was injured in a construction accident, you may face months or years of medical bills and other losses. An experienced personal injury attorney in New York may be able to advise you on how to pursue compensation.