New York has many different labor laws to protect construction workers from severe injury and death. Under Labor Law 200, property owners and contractors are required to provide employees with a reasonably safe workplace. If the owner is in violation of the section, the state may impose fines and the injured employee could have grounds to file an injury lawsuit.
Provisions of NY Labor Law 200 for Construction Employees
Labor Law 200 requires that all areas of a worksite be “constructed, equipped, arranged, operated and conducted” in a way that will make the worksite as safe as possible for employees and visitors. The law has specific instructions regarding:
Equipment Safety
All machinery must be placed in a way that minimizes injury to workers, operated according to safe practices, and equipped with adequate safety guards. If the building commissioner posts a notice identifying a problem with a piece of machinery, the machinery may not be used until the dangerous condition is corrected. The owner must contact the commissioner for re-inspection and re-inspection must be completed before the notice may be removed.
Lighting
Work areas must have adequate lighting in order to prevent trips or falls, and machinery must be lighted to allow workers to see active parts of the equipment.
Sanitation and Health
Contractors and owners should provide the employees with safe restroom facilities and access to first aid on site.
Vertical Transportation
Owners should follow construction regulations to ensure that all elevators and escalators have been installed and are operating correctly.
Radiation and Fire Response
Sites should have adequate fire suppression systems, as well as radiation detection, to protect workers from industrial radiation.
Exits
Every worksite should have at least the minimum number of exits required to evacuate the worksite quickly.
If your construction injury was caused by a violation of this section or another unsafe condition on a construction site, we can help. Our attorneys will investigate who may be at fault for the accident, allowing you to get the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Fill out our quick online contact form or call (800) 362-9329 to speak with a construction injury lawyer at Hofmann & Schweitzer as soon as possible.
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