New York State has enacted labor laws to protect the rights of construction workers to ensure safe working conditions and safe equipment. It is a shared responsibility between property owners and construction contractors to take necessary measures to establish safe construction work sites and provide construction workers with essential safety gear to perform their duties.
Section 200 of the New York State labor law states that:
- Owners and contractors must provide reasonable and adequate protection for the lives, health, and safety of all individuals employed or lawfully present at construction sites.
- Machinery, equipment, and devices within these premises must be positioned, operated, guarded, and illuminated in a manner that ensures reasonable and adequate protection for everyone on the site.
- Hazardous equipment must be marked with a warning sign around it that highlights the hazards as the unsafe conditions are addressed
Section 240 provides comprehensive guidelines for the proper use of scaffolding in construction job sites. These guidelines state that:
- Scaffolding positioned more than 20 feet above the ground must be equipped with securely attached safety rails measuring at least 34 inches in height, extending along the entire exterior length.
- Scaffolding must be structurally designed to bear a load four times greater than the maximum weight requirement.
- Proper erection, securing, and fastening of scaffolding are mandatory.
Section 241, known as the “Safety Hazards Law,” states that workers are entitled to protection from safety hazards that could potentially result in injuries. This includes measures such as:
- Enclosing elevator shafts,
- Ensuring the appropriate planking of floors, and
- Implementing proper equipment that prevents slip, trip, and fall accidents.
These laws have been established to prioritize the safety of construction job sites and the well-being of construction workers. If you have sustained injuries due to a property owner or contractor’s disregard for these guidelines, you may be eligible to pursue financial compensation for your injuries.
English
Spanish