When New York City construction employers fail to keep job sites safe in the winter, workers can be badly hurt
Winter is just around the corner, and that means winter weather is going to be a factor on construction sites throughout New York. Especially on outdoor projects, cold and icy conditions can put workers in danger. Construction companies need to put safety first, and when they don’t, they should be held accountable.
Here are some of the hazards that can make construction accidents more likely in the winter—and what employers should do about them.
Slip, trip, and fall hazards
When ice forms on walkways, stairs, ladders, and other surfaces, workers are at increased risk of slipping and falling. It’s often difficult to tell the difference between a wet surface and black ice. This is particularly dangerous at heights where slip and falls can turn deadly.
Likewise, trip hazards can become far more dangerous in winter conditions. Snow can cover debris, uneven ground, sharp edges, gaps, or trenches that could cause workers to fall.
Some steps employers should take to avoid falls in snowy or icy conditions include:
- Providing workers with slip-resistant footwear.
- Spreading salt or sand on slippery surfaces.
- Sweeping away water before it can freeze.
- Inspecting job sites for slip and trip hazards at the beginning of each shift.
- Clearing debris before it can create a trip hazard.
- Marking hazards with bright flags or paint.
- Providing workers with poles or tools to test footing before stepping forward.
Cold working conditions
Cold temperatures themselves can also pose a severe safety hazard to workers. In extreme cases, workers may experience outright frostbite or hypothermia, which can be deadly. Even in less dangerously cold conditions, workers may have difficulty gripping tools or equipment when their hands are numb, which can increase the risk of an accident.
Some steps employers should take to protect workers from cold include:
- Providing layered clothing, wind-resistant hats, and insulated gloves.
- Giving workers warm-up breaks in heated shelters.
- Monitoring for warning signs of hypothermia.
- Rotating tasks to keep workers out of the cold for too long.
Lack of visibility
Winter weather can reduce disability due to blowing snow, snowdrifts, and fog. Furthermore, there is less daylight during the winter months, which means construction work often happens in low-light conditions. Reduced visibility increases the risk of all sorts of accidents.
Some steps construction employers must take to mitigate the risks of low visibility include:
- Providing workers with high-visibility equipment.
- Providing additional lighting on site.
- Providing workers with radios to communicate with each other and to spot vehicles when necessary.
Malfunctioning tools and equipment
Cold conditions can wreak havoc on construction tools and vehicles. Equipment may fail without warning. Metal becomes brittle, and batteries drain faster in cold temperatures. Frozen hydraulic fluids can make equipment and vehicles non-functional or outright dangerous.
Steps construction employers should take to mitigate these risks include:
- Storing tools in heated areas
- Inspecting tools, equipment, and machinery at the start of each shift
Job site safety needs to come first, especially in the cold
Unfortunately, far too often, construction companies fail to prioritize their workers’ safety, and that is especially dangerous in cold and snowy conditions. If you’ve been hurt on a job site, you have legal rights, but you need to take action to protect them. Workers’ compensation should pay some of your injury-related expenses, but if you were harmed by the negligence of someone other than your direct employer, you can pursue additional compensation through a personal injury lawsuit—potentially including pain and suffering, excess wage loss, and more.
The lawyer you choose will make all the difference. Keogh Crispi, P.C. has an extensive track record of results in high-stakes construction accident cases, including a $3.175 million recovery for a laborer injured in a fall from a ladder. Give us a call or contact us online for a free consultation.
"Pat Crispi is definitely the kind of tough-as-nails attorney that you want on your side when dealing with insurance companies or anyone else. I have worked with Pat more than once over the years. Each time, he has been incredibly helpful, reliable, and professional." – Ahmad S., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐