Know All About The New York Scaffold Law
The New York Scaffold Law: Why Is It Important?
What information regarding the New York Scaffold Law is necessary for construction workers?
Who is susceptible to injuries from scaffolding?
“The Scaffold Law” is the abbreviation for New York Labour Law Section 240. Owners or general contractors who violate the statute’s protection are subject to complete culpability. The goal is to absolve owners and general contractors of ultimate responsibility for safety procedures at building sites, leaving workers unable to defend themselves to do so. In addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim, an injured worker may file a lawsuit against the Owner and Contractor for any resulting economic losses and physical injuries. To safeguard employees from risks associated with gravity, the New York Scaffold Law was established.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), this regulation is required because, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), scaffolding collapses result in an annual average of 4,500 injuries and 80 fatalities. The “fatal four,” or the top four fatal accidents in the American construction sector, are also reported by OSHA. Falls are clearly in the lead, as expected.
- Falls (36.5%)
- Being struck by something (10.1%)
- electric shock (8.6%)
- (Caught or crushed by machinery, structures, or materials) Caught-in or caught-between (2.5%)
The New York Scaffold Law: Why Is It Important?
According to the New York Scaffold Law, contractors, leaseholders, and owners are all liable if they fail to supply construction employees undertaking gravity-related work during the construction, maintenance, or deconstruction of a structure with the appropriate safety equipment. When an experienced New York construction accidents lawyer is consulted, the New York Scaffold Law justly imposes culpability on individuals who fail to provide adequate safety measures or equipment for workers.
What information regarding the New York Scaffold Law is necessary for construction workers?
Construction workers should be aware that the New York Scaffold Law guarantees that they will have enough safety gear to carry out their duties safely. Employers must go above and above to offer the best suitable safety device for the task at hand in accordance with the New York Scaffold Law, rather than simply the bare minimum. The following are a few instances of crucial safety precautions that should be used on any construction project:
- A safety railing with a minimum height of 34 inches must be installed on any scaffolding that is erected 20 feet or higher than the ground
- If any additional tools, such as ladders or ropes, are required for the project, they must be maintained in good working order.
- To prevent the safety equipment from shifting or collapsing, scaffolds must be built on flat, solid surfaces that are free of obstructions.
- Workers and pedestrians must be protected from falling objects that are being hoisted or secured by safety nets or strong canopies, and they must be kept in good repair and not permitted to develop holes.
Who is susceptible to injuries from scaffolding?
Scaffolding is a typical and crucial part of many construction sites. On a building site, everybody who needs to use scaffolding has a right to assume that they can do so safely. Even though anyone working on the site may eventually need to utilize scaffolding, some occupations are more likely to use these tools in order to do their tasks, making them more susceptible to accidents caused by gravity. Those in the following trades are particularly at risk from shoddy scaffolding:
- Electricians
- Carpenters
- Painters
- Welders
- Laborers
- Bricklayers
- Windows cleaners
- Steeplejacks
- Maintenance personnel
Typical Injuries
Because scaffolding injuries have a serious and occasionally fatal risk of harm, the NY Lawyers’ role as New York construction accidents lawyer is vital. A worker who falls from scaffolding is likely to get significant injuries due to the height. Workers who have injuries as a result of defective scaffolding may experience:
- Brain injuries caused by trauma
- damage to the spinal cord and paralysis
- Bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
- bleeding inside
- Lacerations
What to do:
NY Lawyers accident attorneys are committed to zealously defending the rights and interests of anyone who have suffered harm on construction sites as a result of another party’s carelessness or negligence. We are one of the most trusted New York construction accident lawyer firms, at your service.