Tree workers in New York and elsewhere face multiple occupational hazards. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, employers in all industries must provide safe work environments. Their responsibilities include providing employees with adequate training in workplace safety to prepare them for the hazard they will face while doing their jobs.
One of the most significant dangers for tree workers is the fact that they often work near overhead power cables. There are strict regulations about the distance that must be clear between workers and power lines. However, workers who are not informed about the dangers, or those who have become complacent and less alert, might make contact with energized power lines.
A 39-year-old tree trimmer reportedly lost his life on a recent Monday while he was cutting a tree in an Orange County village. According to a police report, the incident occurred shortly after 9:15 a.m. The circumstances that lead to the electrocution are not known and will likely be determined by those who will investigate the incident.
Too many New York workers die due to workplace safety violations. However, the workers’ compensation insurance system is a no-fault program. For that reason, even if an employee is killed in a workplace accident in which he or she was partly at fault, the workers’ compensation might still provide benefits. The surviving family members might be entitled to claim death benefits. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney can assist with the claims process to obtain benefits to cover the costs of a funeral and burial and the unanticipated loss of income.
