A construction worker was injured recently when he fell four feet while hanging drywall at Margaritaville, a new beachfront resort and casino in Atlantic City, N.J., the South Jersey Times reported. The worker reportedly lost consciousness as a result of the fall. He was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
The construction industry consistently ranks in the top three most dangerous industries, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Typically, the construction industry follows only the transportation industry in the number of fatal work-related accidents each year. For 2011, 17.5 percent of all fatal workplace fatalities were in the construction industry. Construction falls represented a staggering 35 percent of all construction-related deaths.
A common misconception when it comes to the hazards of construction site falls is that only falls from a significant height can cause serious injuries. As the recent accident in New Jersey illustrates, even a fall from a relatively low level can cause serious injuries. BLS statistics tell us that over half of all fatal falls suffered in a typical year are from a height of less than 15 feet.
OSHA Requires for Fall Protection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires a fall protection system if a worker is subjected to the possibility of a fall from as low as a six feet. The type of fall protection depends on the type of work among other factors; however, the point is that OSHA recognizes the risks involved in a fall from what may appear to be a relatively low height.
Despite OSHA standards, fall protection violations ranked number two in OSHA’s list of most frequently cited violations for 2011. This means that employers are not adhering to the standards set forth by OSHA that are intended to protect workers. If you are concerned that proper fall protection is not being used at your worksite, you should contact a supervisor or file a complaint directly with OSHA.
If you have been injured as a result of a fall at a New Jersey construction site, you could be entitled to third-party compensation in lieu of, or in addition to, workers’ compensation. All too often, workers’ compensation alone fails to adequately compensate the victims of construction accidents.
The New York/New Jersey accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P., can explain your legal options. With seven offices 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.