Employers in the construction industry have a particular responsibility to train their workers and provide comprehensive safety for any hand tools, power tools or other equipment used on the job.
The U.S. federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides detailed resources on workplace safety and health topics, to include information regarding carbon monoxide or gas hazards from small engines and statistics and helpful guidelines on the use of hand or power tools at work.
OSHA tracks work-related injuries and fatalities while penalizing companies that fail to put adequate safety solutions in place.
The Philosophy of Safe Tool Use
What you can see from reading OSHA guidelines and other resources is that experts have provided core guidance for the safe use of tools in the workplace.
One element of this core safety philosophy is training. Training encompasses the idea that anyone who operates a machine or piece of equipment should be licensed, certified or otherwise qualified, or, at the very least, should have a full in-depth knowledge of safety issues related to that particular tool.
Another core part of this philosophy involves personal protective equipment or “PPE” such as goggles, gloves, helmets and other uniform pieces. This type of safety precaution is evident for tough jobs like welding or chemical use, but often goes by the wayside in other kinds of construction jobs where the dangers are not as apparent.
An additional aspect of the agency’s safety philosophy involves maintenance and serviceable conditions for tools and machinery. As time goes on, tools wear out, resulting in frayed power cords, malfunctioning mechanical parts and other problems that can cause serious injury.
Businesses that skimp on any of these safety measures can see tragic results. Work injuries obviously affect the workers and their families, but they can also devastate business finances in the form of fines, penalties and lost revenue.
Challenges with Tool Safety
One challenge in tool safety concerns the issue of unauthorized individuals using the equipment. Too often, what is mandated in the head office does not get applied to the field, and whoever is onsite may cut corners and allow unauthorized use.
Another issue is related to the high number of U.S. workers for whom English is not a first language. Quite often, training materials are not available in alternate languages, and as a result, front-line workers may not fully understand safety issues that are relevant to their jobs.
Let Us Help You With Your Case
When construction accident lawyers are called to look into workers’ compensation or personal injury cases, they typically look at all contributing factors in the accident that caused the harm. They will look at whether there was any negligence or inattention to public safety, as well as whether there is any third-party involvement that may result in liability to the injured party.
If someone in your family was hurt on the job, call the experienced accident attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff. We have helped many New York City families collect the compensation needed to treat their loved ones and provide for their care long-term. Let us help you evaluate your case.
