Preventing Roofing Accidents
Falls are the leading cause of construction accidents in New York and New Jersey. Anytime you are working above the ground, the risk of injuring yourself severely in a fall is increased. The National Home Builders Association (NHBA), in conjunction with OSHA, has developed some basic tips for keeping safe while working on roofs.
You could be on the roof replacing shingles, doing repair work, or constructing a new building. But the risks are often the same. You can easily lose your footing and go tumbling down in a matter of seconds.
The NHBA makes the following recommendations (pdf):
- Utilize a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) which includes a full body harness, lanyard, connective devices, and anchor point.
- Follow manufacturer’s recommendations to attach PFAS to an approved anchor point (capable of withstanding 5,000 lbs.)
- Only authorized workers, who have been trained on roofing hazards, should be allowed to work on roofs.
- Establish drop zones to protect workers on the ground from being struck by materials or equipment.
- Suspend roofing operations when adverse weather (i.e. high winds, rain, snow or sleet) creates a hazardous condition.
- Load and store roofing materials on the deck in a way that prevents the materials from sliding off of the roof.
In 2011, falls accounted for 251 of the 721 total deaths in construction. This is 35%, more than any other cause. This is usually due to violations of OSHA standards that could have prevented the accident. Things like scaffold standards, fall protection, and ladder standards are designed to prevent such accidents.
Though fall fatalities are relatively common, even more common are injury accidents. When you fall, whether from a single story roof or from a scaffold, you are at risk of serious injury. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries and back injuries are all possible. Not only are these painful, they are costly.
When you work in construction, you have a right to depend on your employer for safety. When your safety is compromised and an accident occurs, you may have grounds for a lawsuit. The construction accident attorneys of Ginarte can help.
New York and New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyers
At Ginarte, we know you work in a dangerous field. But this doesn’t mean that any injuries you receive at work are par for the course. You have rights. And when you suffer a serious injury while on the job, your employer and others can often be held responsible.
Contact our New York / New Jersey offices today to talk to a construction accident attorney about your accident and how we might be able to help you get the compensation you deserve.
