Construction Accidents

May 17, 2022

Construction Industry Leaders Discuss Fall Prevention

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

Construction industry leaders have recently shared their thoughts on preventing fall-related deaths for construction workers after data released by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration stated that falls are the leading cause of death.

Data provided by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a division of the US Department of Labor, shows that out of 1,008 construction worker fatalities in 2020, 351 resulted from fatal falls to a lower level, making falls the leading cause of construction worker fatalities. However, OSHA stresses, “These deaths are preventable.” Continue reading

May 10, 2022

Report: Construction Industry Execs Mental Health, Suicide Risk

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

A recent report in Construction Dive notes that the rate of construction worker suicides is four times that of the general population, which suggests that there is much to be done to protect these workers and their mental health.

In an illuminating roundtable published last week, construction industry trade magazine Construction Dive asked an array of industry experts what the industry can do protect and improve its workers’ mental health. As the report noted, construction’s suicide rate is four times that of the general population, suggesting that there is much work to be done to take care of workers’ emotional well-being. Continue reading

April 7, 2022

Report: NYC Construction Incidents Fall, Deaths Rise

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

The New York City Department of Buildings released its safety report revealing that construction-related injuries and fatalities have seen a slight increase despite the fact that construction-related incidents have continued to decrease for the third year in a row.

The New York City Department of Buildings released its second annual Construction Safety report last week. Among other things, the DOB revealed that building construction-related incidents fell for the third year in a row in 2021; at the same time, construction-related injuries and fatalities slightly increased. Continue reading

March 11, 2022

Study: Construction Workers May Bring Toxic Metals Home From Worksites

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

A recent analysis by Construction Dive explains construction workers are likely to carry home toxic chemicals from their worksites when handling paint, wood treatment solutions, and other materials that contain metals.

A pilot study published in a forthcoming issue of Environmental Research found that construction workers may “unintentionally pick up” toxic chemicals at their worksites and carry them to their homes. As an analysis by Construction Dive explains, the chemicals in question include not only lead, but also “arsenic, chromium, copper, lead, manganese, nickel and tin,” which were found in construction workers’ homes “in higher levels” than in those of janitorial or auto professionals.

February 23, 2022

Report: Construction Worksite Fatalities Increased in 2020

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

A recent report by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health found that worksite deaths for construction workers has increased, with a total of 41 workers who died on the job and 13 of those deaths being in NYC.

A new report by the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health concludes that construction worksite deaths rose during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic. A total of 41 workers lost their lives in job site incidents in 2020, the NYCOSH found, 13 of whom died in New York City sites.

February 8, 2022

Construction Industry Suffers Omicron-Related Labor Shortages

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

According to a recent report by Construction Dive, about 8.8 million construction workers have been out of work since December 2021 due to the omicron variant, causing the construction industry to suffer.

The US construction industry is suffering drastic worker shortages resulting from the omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, according to a recent report by Construction Dive. Citing data analyzed by the Washington Post, roughly 8.8 million construction workers “reported missing work either because they were sick with the coronavirus or caring for someone else who was ill” between late December 2021 and mid-January 2022. That number represents a threefold increase since the beginning of December, and 2.2 million more than January 2021’s peak, per the Post. Despite signs that the omicron surge is waning, “businesses across the country are still feeling the strain just as a new omicron variant is rearing its head,” according to Construction Dive. Continue reading

November 23, 2021

NYC Passes Construction Safety Superintendent Bill

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

The New York City Council has recently passed a law that will begin in June 2022 and will require construction sites to have a superintendent who would be responsible for overseeing jobs and ensuring the safety of construction workers.

The New York City Council has passed legislation that would “overhaul” construction safety in the city, according to a press release by the legislative body. The bill, Int 2276-2021, requires construction sites to assign a “designated full-time construction superintendent who would be responsible for safety and code compliance, along with overall management of the construction project.” This role would complement existing safety personnel like site safety coordinators and site safety managers. Continue reading

September 30, 2021

OSHA Developing Heat Standard for Construction Sites

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

A recent report found that construction workers are exposed to high temperatures and heat on the job that has caused illnesses and even deaths that are under-reported.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will develop “a federal standard” to prevent health issues stemming from extreme heat on construction sites, according to a report by Construction Dive. In a press release, the agency announced it would initiate a rulemaking process that will include a comment period from various stakeholders as it works to establish new standards. Continue reading

September 28, 2021

NYC Issues Almost 1,500 Stop Work Orders in Construction Safety Sweep

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

NYC’s Department of Buildings inspected over 7,000 construction sites since June and has issued 3,600 violations and 1,499 stop work orders due to a large number of construction related deaths.

A New York City Department of Buildings safety sweep this month resulted in 3,600 violations and 1,499 stop work orders issued to construction contractors. According to a report by Construction Dive, the sweeps were launched because of a spate of construction site fatalities in the city, with seven workers dying in the first five months of 2021—two from falls, as the report notes. Continue reading

July 19, 2021

NYC Construction Safety Report Details Job Site Fatalities

by Law Offices of Thomas L. Gallivan, PLLC

New York City’s Department of Buildings released its review of the 12 construction-related fatalities in 2019.

The New York City Department of Buildings recently released its Construction Safety Report for 2019-2020. The document notes that although construction incidents that involved injuries and fatalities decreased by 24% in 2019—”the first drop in nearly a decade”—there were nonetheless twelve deaths in construction-related incidents that year. “Even one death caused by unsafe work practices on a construction site is unacceptable,” the report states, “and the Department is committed to further driving down this number.” The Department carefully reviews every construction-related incident in New York City in order to hold responsible parties accountable and prevent future fatalities and injuries. Below are brief descriptions of the 12 tragic incidents in 2019, as described by the Department of Buildings.