NYC Construction Accidents in 2022: Decreasing but Still Occurring
According to the 2021 Construction Safety Report by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), the multi-year (starting from 2018) decline in construction-related accidents in NYC has continued in 2021, dipping another 10% when compared to the past year, and approximately 40% since 2018. But while the number of construction accidents continued to decline, worker injuries (from 502 to 505 injuries) and deaths (from 8 to 9 deaths) experienced slight increases in 2021.
This decrease in construction accidents, starting in 2019, was the first time the accident rate decreased in nearly 10 years. Based on the report, this decline coincides with the changes in DOB regulations, such as mandatory safety training for construction workers on big sites, increased inspection protocols, and direct construction worker community outreach and education.
Why NYC Construction Accidents and Deaths Are Still Happening
Construction work poses inherent risks to workers and the general public when relevant authorities do not implement proper precautions at work sites. Last year, nine construction workers were killed in construction accidents in NYC. Seven of these nine deaths resulted from a worker falling on the job, which is still the top cause of worker injuries and deaths in NYC construction sites.
Falls can occur on construction sites regardless of size and scope of work, and even a seemingly short fall can cause serious injury or death. These deadly accidents demonstrate that implementing proper site precautions and fall prevention strategies is still a huge concern for contractors, managers, building owners, construction workers, etc., in NYC.
As of June 30, 2022, there have been 243 construction-related injuries and 4 deaths in NYC. These injuries and deaths resulted from the following construction accident causes:
- Worker Fell – 83 injuries and 4 deaths
- Other Construction Related – 148 injuries
- Material Failure (Fell) – 9 injuries
- Excavation/Soil Work – 1 injury
- Mechanical Construction Equipment – 1 injury
- Scaffold/Shoring Installations – 1 injury
Negligence and Violations in Work Sites Also Cause Construction Accidents
Construction workers and relevant individuals can request OSHA to inspect a construction site if they suspect that negligence or violations are happening in their workplace. According to OSHA, the most commonly cited violations after worksite inspections include the following:
- Fall protection and prevention strategies
- Respiratory protection
- Hazard communication
- Ladders
- Scaffolding
- Powered industrial trucks
- Control of dangerous energy
- Face and eye protection
- Machine guarding and machinery
When construction accidents occur, the extent and nature of injuries could range from minor to severe and life-changing, even deadly. Navigating the aftermath of a construction accident can be challenging due to the many individuals and entities that may be involved – general contractors, building owners, construction companies, managers, and other third parties – and must be handled by experienced NYC construction accident attorneys.
Consult With a Top NYC Construction Accident Attorney Now
Construction companies and other potentially liable parties will do everything in their power to avoid compensating construction workers for their injuries. This is why it’s best to discuss your specific case with an NYC construction accident attorney who can help you navigate the entire process. To set up a free case review with our NYC construction accident attorney, call Lipsig, Shapey, Manus & Moverman at 212-285-3300 or contact us online.
