Construction is one of the biggest industries in New York and also one of the most profitable professions for blue-collar workers. People who work in construction command premium wages and may have their pick of projects when looking for work. However, the trade-off for that competitive pay and those opportunities is that construction workers have to accept quite a bit of personal risk on the job. Construction workers can get hurt by falling objects or by falling themselves. They get exposed to electrical currents and may have to handle dangerous, potentially deadly equipment.
All of these risk factors lead to a large number of construction workers getting injured and dying on the job each year. Thankfully, New York has special labor laws that specifically protect construction workers from one of the biggest risks on the job. How do New York Labor Laws 200 and 240 benefit those working in the construction industry?
Labor Law 200
New York’s Labor Law 200 specifically protects all workers and anyone visiting a worksite from injury risk. The law creates liability for businesses. They must arrange the worksite in such a way that promotes safety and minimizes risk both to the workers and to anyone else who may access the worksite.
Essentially, this statute establishes the right to a safe workplace, and any workers or visitors who alleged that an injury occurred because a business or property owner did not provide safe work conditions may have grounds for a claim.
Labor law 240
Also known as the scaffolding law, New York Labor Law 240 addresses gravity-related incidents at construction sites. The law makes property owners or the businesses acting on their behalf strictly liable for any gravity-related incidents that lead to injury or death for construction workers.
Typically, property owners or the contractors that they hire need to provide appropriate support, including scaffolding and harnesses, for the safety of the workers. Without the right protections in place, property owners and construction companies may be liable for the injuries suffered by construction workers while working on a property.
Understanding and making use of the labor laws that protect construction workers with the assistance of an experienced legal professional can help those who are struggling to cover the costs generated after sustaining an injury related to their job.