The Occupational Health and Safety Administration issued a warning this month to workers involved in the Hurricane Sandy cleanup in New York, New Jersey and throughout New England. The warning advises workers of potential hazards and suggests steps to help workers protect themselves.
According to OSHA, the cleanup will likely involve workers from many different fields. Some of the work includes:
- Restoring electricity, water and sewer services, and communications to residents and businesses.
- Demolishing buildings and structures that were too badly damaged to be repaired.
- Removing floodwater.
- Cleaning up and removing debris.
- Trimming trees.
- Repairing buildings, residences, dams, bridges, roadways and levees.
- Removing hazardous waste.
- Operating heavy equipment and cranes.
Workers may run into a variety of potentially dangerous situations and hazards, including:
- Live electrical wires
- Electrical dangers or carbon monoxide poisoning from portable generators
- Becoming trapped in confined spaces
- Being buried in an unprotected excavation
- Falls from heights while repairing buildings or trimming trees
- Drowning in moving water
- Burns from fires or live electrical wires
- Explosions
- Injuries from heavy equipment
- Crane-related injuries
- Crashes involving construction vehicles or equipment
The warning suggests measures that workers can take to avoid being injured. These include:
- Assume that all electrical wires are “live” and proceed accordingly.
- Always evaluate the work area thoroughly for hazards or dangers before entering or beginning work.
- Be vigilant about wearing the property safety equipment such as a hard hat, reflective vest and safety glasses.
- Monitor exposure levels where chemical hazards are a risk.
- Use proper tree cutting techniques when trimming or removing a tree.
- Use proper ladder technique and follow ladder safety rules.
Workers, construction companies and volunteers may visit the OSHA website for additional information regarding hazards associated with the hurricane recovery and cleanup. The website also provides fact sheets and “quick cards” that offer specific information and safety “cheat sheets” for each type of work involved in the cleanup.
‘Third-Party’ Compensation for Job-Related Accidents
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a New York or New Jersey workplace accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Sometimes, a third party is responsible in a workplace accident, meaning that the victim may be entitled to compensation outside the workers’ compensation system.
In a situation such as the hurricane cleanup, there are frequently numerous companies and individuals directing workers and giving orders. As a result, someone other than your direct employer could be partially, or completely, at fault if you are injured. When this occurs, you may be entitled to third-party compensation.
Talk to a New York/New Jersey Workplace Accident Lawyer
Contact the New York/New Jersey workplace accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd to find out what legal options you may have. With six offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, we have an office near you. Contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 or fill out our online contact form for your free consultation.