More NY Construction Accidents than the U.S. Average
News of injured and fallen construction workers in NYC is consistently reported in press outlets, highlighting the need for the state to develop and maintain safeguards for construction workers. According to a recently released report that reviewed data from 2020, the construction industry in NYC and throughout the state remained far more hazardous than the rest of the U.S. despite the nationwide work stoppages during the covid-19 pandemic.
The Deadly Skyline: Annual Report on Construction Fatalities in New York State by The New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) is an annual report about construction worker fatalities in New York. Put simply, this report makes clear that key decision-makers must act proactively to ensure that worker safety remains a top priority on all New York construction sites.
Construction Worker Deaths in NYC Continue to Rise
Throughout the state, the rate of construction deaths increased from 10.2 for every 100,000 workers to 11.1, which is a 9% increase from 2019. Construction worker fatalities in 2020 accounted for approximately 24% of all worker fatalities in the state. They likewise accounted for 21% of all worker fatalities in the U.S.
While the construction death rate in NYC decreased after three consecutive years of increases, it’s still above the countrywide average and accounts for 22% of all worker deaths. Long-term data are required to determine what caused the decrease, but the report posits that the slowdown in construction work due to the pandemic played a significant role.
Also, the report found that OSHA performed the lowest number of worksite inspections in 2020. Again, this can be attributed to the work stoppages, but more assessments are needed to figure out how the reduced inspections may set back efforts to protect construction sites in the coming years. In addition, the report found that non-union construction sites are especially hazardous for construction workers, with 79% of fatalities occurring on non-union construction sites.
Furthermore, the report stated that the most common contractor OSHA violations are directly linked to construction worker deaths, which means that many deaths are preventable. THE NYCOSH recommends that lawmakers must expand and uphold safety regulations to effectively hold liable negligent companies and contractors when they endanger the lives of construction workers. It’s unacceptable that greedy, corrupt, and irresponsible companies and contractors’ profit at the unfortunate expense of construction workers’ safety.
The rate of construction accidents and deaths in the state is simply unconscionable, and it is imperative that lawmakers continue to push for measures that bring construction site operations in line with the protocols and standards implemented at unionized construction sites.
Get In Touch With a Seasoned NYC Construction Accident Lawyer Now
Construction workers face the risks of life-changing injuries and death daily. If you suffered injuries in a construction accident in NYC, contact Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman to explore your legal options. You can arrange a free evaluation of your case with our seasoned MYC construction accident lawyer by calling 212-285-3300 or reaching us online.
