New York City construction workers often face dangerous conditions, as a recent subterranean accident at the site of a 75-foot subway tunnel on the Upper East Side illustrates. A construction worker was attempting to secure machinery at the bottom of the tunnel when he stumbled and began to sink into the mud.  “The mud just grabbed me and wouldn’t release me,” the Lyndhurst, N.J., hardhat later told CBS 2 News. “It just started sucking me in.”

The worker screamed for help, which resulted in a monumental, four-hour rescue operation, according to news accounts. Not only was the worker trapped and scared, but ice cold water and debris mixed with the mud, threatening to cause hypothermia. Rescue workers wielded ropes, backhoes, drills and cranes while firefighters kept talking to him to try and keep him conscious. The worker was taken to a nearby hospital for observation because his legs were bruised and swollen after being compressed for such a long time.

The episode shows how quickly and unpredictably an accident can occur. Because of the inherent danger in construction work, employers, property owners and others in authority must be vigilant about worker safety.

OSHA Violations Lead to Injuries

While we do not know if any safety violations contributed the accident in the subway tunnel, we do know that failing to follow the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety regulations frequently leads to injuries. If you are concerned that proper safety procedures are not being followed at your worksite, talk to your employer or someone in authority on the site. You can also file a complaint with OSHA by phone, online or by mail.

If you have been injured as a result of a New York construction accident, talk to an experienced New York/New Jersey accident and injury attorney at Ginarte Gonzalez Winograd L.L.P. You could be entitled to third-party compensation for your injuries and expenses. For a free consultation, contact the firm today by calling 888-446-2783 or fill out our online contact form.