Scaffold Law remains in place to protect NY construction workers

It is well known that construction is one of the most dangerous industries, with a high risk for injury. Laws work to ensure that employers provide proper and safe working conditions and also provide appropriate compensation to employees when injured on the job. Be it a crane accident, scaffolding accident, road construction accident or more, the need for New York construction workers to be protected is important.

A law known as the Scaffold Law ensures that employers are held liable for injuries sustained on a worksite. In place since 1885, this law has recently been the subject of review with proposed state legislation that would essentially reduce the overall liability of contractors and developers. It would allow juries to identify a portion of employee liability for a construction accident. 

Sheldon Silver, New York State Assembly Speaker, halted efforts to amend the Scaffold Law. Construction workers throughout New York understand the impacts a scaffolding accident can have, including long-term injury, loss of ability to work or even death. The ability to be compensation and protected in the event of such an accident is important to their overall safety.

Any employee of a construction site that has questions about the laws or requirements of their employer to provide a safe workplace could consult with an attorney experienced in the area of constuction accidents. Knowing your rights before a problem occurs can go a long way toward prevention or at least helping to know what can be done in the event of a problem.

Source: Times Ledger, “Sheldon Silver rejects new Scaffold Law: Moya,” Chris Engelhardt, June 21, 2013