Every call is taken by an attorney

Free Consultation

We proudly serve clients in Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica and the surrounding areas, plus Glens Falls, Albany and the entire Capital District.

Every call is taken by an attorney

Free Consultation

We proudly serve clients in Schenectady, Syracuse, Utica and the surrounding areas, plus Glens Falls, Albany and the entire Capital District.

  1. Home
  2.  » 
  3. Construction Workers' Accidents
  4.  » Preventing back-over construction accidents in New York

Preventing back-over construction accidents in New York

| Nov 13, 2015 | Construction Workers' Accidents, Firm News |

Construction workers in New York face a variety of different hazards on the job. One hazard comes from the large machinery and motor vehicles moving around the job site. These include semi-trucks, dump trucks, forklifts and more. These vehicles pose the risk of back-over accidents for workers.

According to the United States Department of Labor, in 2011, more than 70 workers throughout the United States died as a result of a back-over accident. These accidents occur when a vehicle is backing up and hits a worker.

These accidents can happen when a worker falls off the machinery and is subsequently run over, or when the driver of the motor vehicle fails to see the worker behind his or her vehicle. In any case, back-overs are dangerous and potentially deadly accidents that need to be prevented when possible.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there are steps that can be taken to prevent back-over accidents on construction sites. First, a spotter can be used to help vehicles safely back up on construction sites. Additionally, vehicles can be hooked up with rearview cameras in order to help drivers see behind them.

Some construction sites can also create a plan for motor vehicles. By using these plans, drivers can reduce the number of times that the vehicle needs to back up. Additionally, training should be provided for workers so that they understand where vehicle blind spots are located so that they can avoid working in them.

Back-over accidents are just one of many types of dangers faced by construction workers in New York. When a construction accident injures an employee, that worker may have the right to worker’s compensation. While employers need to take every precaution to avoid accidents, many workers are still hurt each year. By understanding their legal rights, workers can protect themselves following a workplace accident. An attorney may be able to help explain these rights further.

Archives