Underground construction sites pose particular risks of accidents and injuries to workers.
According to the International Labor Organization’s Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety:
- Hard physical labor can cause bodily injuries.
- Roof falls or cave-ins can cause head injuries, crush injuries, suffocation or death.
- Exposure to crystalline silica dust and cement dust can lead to respiratory, lung or skin problems.
- Exposure to chemical vapors can cause lung problems, including chemical pneumonitis, which can lead to respiratory failure and death if left unchecked.
- Exposure to radon can cause lung cancer.
- Oxygen-deficient atmospheres can contribute to breathing problems, such as asthma.
Tunnel Safety
To promote safety for those who work in underground construction, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that employees receive extensive training in:
- Air monitoring and ventilation
- Illumination
- Communications
- Flood control
- Personal protective equipment
- Emergency procedures, including evacuation plans
- Check-in/check-out procedures
- Explosives
- Fire prevention and protection
- Mechanical equipment
New York’s New Underground Rail
Being adequately trained in tunnel construction safety is especially important for those working the East Side Access project 160 feet beneath New York City. Due for completion in 2019, the East Side Access project will connect the Long Island Railroad to Grand Central Terminal. It is currently the largest public transportation infrastructure project in the country.
If you have been injured in an underground construction accident in New York or New Jersey because of inadequate training or another OSHA violation, you may be entitled to compensation. The construction injury attorneys at Ginarte Gonzalez & Winograd, LLP, can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.