The construction industry is known for being a dangerous profession in that lots of people in this field get hurt or even die each year. In fact, when one breaks out the statistics, the average construction worker in New York stands a 1 in 10 chance of getting hurt on the job in a given year. The upshot is that, over a lengthy career, a worker will likely get sidelined by an injury at least once.
The good news is that this actually represents an improvement over time. In the early 1970s, there were 10.9 injuries per 100 construction workers, whereas now the number is just under 3 injuries per 100 workers.
While this improvement puts a more positive light on the statistics, one ongoing problem is that many accidents, about half, pass by without being reported through the proper channels. Moreover, construction work remains far and away the most dangerous industry when it comes to non-fatal accidents, with the injury rate running over 70% higher than that of the industry in the runner up position.
The reality is that construction firms and others in management could go a long way toward reducing the number of construction workers’ accidents through robust safety programs and other measures. In fact, more investment in preventative measures would not only save the lives and livelihoods of workers but also accident-related costs for managers concerned about the bottom line.
Construction workers in New City, the boroughs of New York City and the surrounding communities continue to put their lives and well-being at risk just by reporting to their jobs. Many times, the employer or another company would have been able to prevent tragedy from striking just by spending a little more in improving safety. Should a worker wind up getting hurt, it may be worth it for him or her to explore available legal options.
