When safety measures fail, injured construction workers have legal rights.
Fires can spread very quickly on construction sites. At these workplaces, it is common to find combustible materials, heavy machinery, powerful electric currents, and controlled burns. The risk of a fire-related construction accident increases without fire safety prevention measures.
Burns and fires are among the leading causes of construction worker deaths in New York City, according to city data. While employers are responsible for providing workers with safe environments to get the job done, everyone can benefit from understanding fire safety tips at work.
Keogh Crispi, P.C., supports measures and initiatives to prevent fires at work. We are New York's premier personal injury and work injury lawyers. We fight to win for the city's injured construction workers and employees in industries throughout the area. If you were injured in a construction fire or another type of construction accident, contact us for a free consultation to learn more about how the law applies to your situation and your potential legal options for compensation.
5 fire safety tips for construction sites
Fire safety is important at the construction worksite. There are laws and regulations to help prevent construction fires, but fires still happen. Here are some safety tips for fire prevention and steps to reduce damage if a fire breaks out at a construction site.
- Never let combustible waste or scrap materials near a fire. Things like oily rags, wipes, towels and old containers can quickly become fuel for a spreading fire. Cloths that make contact with hazardous or flammable materials should be stored in covered metal containers that are emptied daily.
- Keep grass and other onsite vegetation trimmed back. Maintenance of the entire outdoor storage area grounds should be a regularly scheduled event.
- Keep fire extinguishers close by.
- OSHA guidelines on the matter recommend every 3,000-square-foot area should have access to either a fire extinguisher (2A or better), a 55-gallon open drum of water with fire pails, or a 30-foot garden hose.
- If flammable or combustible liquids and gas are present on site, a portable fire extinguisher rate not less than 10B must be provided.
- An employee should not have to travel more than 100 feet to reach a fire extinguisher. - A fire alarm system should be established for every worksite and adapted to changing conditions.
- Heavey equipment exhaust pipes should not be directed toward combustible materials.
Injured construction workers may be entitled to compensation.
Many construction site burn injuries occur due to:
- Open flames or fires.
- Electrocution.
- Gas line explosions.
- Chemical explosions.
- Welding accidents.
- Exposure to hot liquids.
Depending on the specifics of the accident or injury, a construction worker injured in a fire might have a strong case for compensation by a liable third party such as a subcontractor or defective parts manufacturer.
The NYC construction accident attorneys at Keogh Crispi, P.C., can explain all of the possible legal options and help you decide what to do next. If you were injured at an NYC construction site, contact us to review your legal rights and options. We are conveniently situated in Manhattan on 5th Avenue. A member of our team is available to hear from you any time, day or night. Contact us to schedule your free consultation today.