Many New England states were just recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy when a record-breaking winter storm hit the area. Over the February 9 weekend, Mother Nature dumped as much as a three feet of snow, coupled with high winds, causing power outages, flight cancellations, and more than a dozen deaths. To remind everyone that winter is far from over, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued advice to employers about the importance of keeping employees safe during winter storms.
Construction Workers and Winter Storm Hazards
If you are a construction worker in New York or New Jersey, you may be all too aware of the potential dangers lurking at a construction site during the winter months. OSHA’s latest warning to employers states:
“Each employer is responsible for the safety and health of its workers and for providing a safe and healthful workplace for its workers. Employers are required to protect workers from the anticipated hazards associated with the winter storm response and recovery operations that workers are likely to conduct.”
Too often, supervisors, employers, contractors and property owners fail in their duty to those working at construction sites. Although many construction workers are accustomed to harsh working conditions, this does not mean that they should be exposed to unnecessary dangers at the work site. According to OSHA, some of the most common hazards that construction workers face during a winter storm include:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from equipment being operated without proper ventilation
- Driving accidents as a result of slipper roads
- Slips and falls
- Dehydration
- Hypothermia or frostbite
- Electrical injuries from downed or exposed power lines
- Injuries caused by falling objects such as ice or tree limbs
- Falls from ice-covered roofs, ladders or scaffolding
- Equipment malfunction injuries as a result of trying to operate the equipment in sub-zero temperatures
If you are a construction worker and you are required to work during, or after, a winter storm, the New York/New Jersey construction accident attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd L.L.P., urge you to be sure to be extra vigilant about safety.
If you are concerned about a potential workplace hazard, report the problem to your employer or you file a complaint directly with OSHA. If you have been injured in any type of construction accident, talk to us about your legal options. With seven offices conveniently located in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area including a new Queens office, we have an office near you. For your free consultation, contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 or fill out our online contact form.