Articles Posted in OSHA

In recent years, the construction industry has been thriving in the greater Boston area. Construction in Boston, Quincy, and front-end-loader-opt-300x200Cambridge came in at a whopping $14.3 billion in 2018, up 20% from the previous year, according to a recent report.

As new construction sites pop up in the area, new hazards emerge, posing threats to workers and pedestrians passing by. Backover accidents are, particularly on the rise.  Backover accidents are crashes that occur when a driver reverses into and injures or kills a pedestrian. The pedestrian may be another construction worker or a nearby civilian.

Worksites utilizing heavy equipment increase the risks of back up maneuver accidents. Heavy equipment operators often cannot see what is happening behind them when they back up and drive in reverse. These workers sit high above the ground, impairing their ability to see what’s happening at ground level. They rely on spotters and other devices to ensure the vehicle’s enormous blind spots are accounted for.

In fact, statistics indicate that approximately 30% of construction accidents occur when vehicles and heavy machinery are backing up.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates approximately 210 workers were struck by and killed from backing vehicles between 2011 and 2013, another 15,000 were injured.

In 2014, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reviewed reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and found 443 construction accidents from 2003 to 2010 due to backover accidents on construction worksites. Continue reading

Every year, workers are killed or seriously injured while removing snow or ice from rooftops and other elevated building structures, according to a Hazard Alert from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.snow on roof

Considering New England’s brutal winters, dangers associated with snow and ice removal are very real for workers and others living in the greater Boston area. Luckily, many injuries and fatalities can be prevented, the agency said.

If you’ve been injured removing snow or ice from a roof or other elevated structure while working, it’s imperative that you hire experienced and aggressive legal representation. A seasoned OSHA workers’ compensation attorney in Boston will fight for you and make sure you receive full compensation for your injuries, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Here’s a quick look at OSHA’s Hazard Alert:

Why is snow removed from roofs and other elevated surfaces?

• To prevent overloading and collapse.
• For construction or repair of decking or roofs. Continue reading

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