Every year people are injured and even lose their lives on the job. Every April 28, Workers’ Memorial Day remembers workplace accident victims and attempts to make sense of the tragedies. The latest data indicate that more than 4,600 workers were killed on the job in the United States in 2011.
“Each worker killed is a tragic loss to the community of family, friends, and co-workers—and the worst part is, these deaths were largely preventable,” said Tom O’Connor, Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health said in EHS Today.
“Simply by following proven safety practices and complying with OSHA standards, many of these more than 4,600 deaths could have been avoided,” he said. “But as companies decry regulations and emphasize profits over safety, workers pay the ultimate price.”
This problem is seen especially in fields like construction, where many of these injury accidents and fatalities take place.
A report released on Workers’ Memorial Day, entitled “Preventable Deaths: The Tragedy of Workplace Fatalities” calls for better workplace safety, especially among temporary workers, immigrant workers, and energy workers—all of which are utilized in the construction field.
Among the recommendations are providing proper training to employees who may only be temporary and getting immigrant workers “out of the shadows” to increase their safety, no matter their immigration status.
The report also suggests OSHA strengthen its powers by making felony charges possible when an employer’s repeated and willful violations result in a death or serious injury. They also recommend that OSHA increases the penalties imposed on negligent companies.
An estimated 13 workers are killed on the job every single day, according to the report. And there are steps that can be taken to decrease if not eliminate these fatalities. The National COSH and other organizations are pushing for greater reform in the areas where an impact could be felt most.
Whether you are an immigrant, a temporary worker, or a long-time citizen and permanent employee—accidents happen. And when you work in construction, those accidents are even more likely to happen. They can happen when your employer fails to provide the proper equipment or when your coworkers do not receive appropriate training. And when these accidents occur, the consequences can impact the rest of your life.
New Jersey and New York Construction Accident Lawyers
The construction accident lawyers with Ginarte know that you work in a risky field, but that doesn’t mean you should be subjected to unsafe conditions. If you are hurt on the job, contact our offices today to discuss how we may be able to help. Call (888) GINARTE now.