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June is National Safety Month and The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., is happy to share resources to help our clients and communities stay healthy and safe.
As part of National Safety Month, the National Safety Council (NSC) designates a specific safety topic for each week in June. These focus features are intended to educate the public about ways they can prioritize safety at home, on the road, and at work. This year’s topics are:
- Week 1: Prevent Incidents Before They Start
- Week 2: Address Ongoing COVID-19 Safety Concerns
- Week 3: It’s Vital to Feel Safe on the Job
- Week 4: Advance Your Safety Journey
After recording the highest number of workplace deaths since 2007 – 5,333 fatal workplace accidents in 2019 – this year’s National Safety Month has become all the more important. That’s especially true for workers in construction and trade industries who face serious safety risks on the job:
- Roughly 20% (1,061) of worker fatalities in 2019 were in the construction industry.
- 1 in 5 worker deaths involve a construction worker.
- Leading causes of construction accidents include falls (36.9%), struck by objects (10.3%), electrocution (8.9%), and caught between objects (2.6%).
Creating a Preparedness Plan
Week 1 of National Safety Month focuses on preventing incidents before they start – something all employers can work toward with helpful Workplace Safety Toolkits from the NSC and a commitment to creating effective Emergency Preparedness plans before they’re needed.
Comprehensive preparedness plans can help employers address unpredictable hazards such as:
- Fires: Take preventative steps to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the building, test alarms and fire extinguishers regularly, and train employees on evacuation plans.
- Natural Disasters: To protect your workforce from a weather-related emergency, determine the safest course of action and remain up-to-date on weather reports. Have an emergency kit with at least 72 hours of food and water and drill safety plans for the disasters common in your area.
- Hazardous Materials: Dangerous chemicals, gas leaks, and other toxins can expose workers to serious risks or cause catastrophes like explosions and fires. To limit risks, establish protocols for proper handling and inspection of hazardous materials and machinery and create an E.S.C.A.P.E. plan to Exit the area, Call 911, Assess the situation, Pull the fire alarm, and Exit the building.
Whether you’re responsible for addressing potential hazards for the safety of others or at risk of being injured by dangerous conditions, learning how to identify risks and take proactive steps can make the difference. The NSC provides a number of resources to help you preemptively address safety hazards:
Other Safety Issues
Week 2: Address Ongoing COVID-19 Safety Concerns
It’s been a long year for us all, but as the pandemic continues, it’s important to address ongoing COVID-19 safety concerns. This year, the NSC has dedicated an entire week of National Safety Month to COVID issues, including things like:
Week 3: It’s Vital to Feel Safe on the Job
Having the freedom to be oneself at work without the fear of retaliation is vital to an inclusive safety culture. Because organizations need to focus on both physical and psychological safety, the NSC is educating employers about ways to promote diverse, welcoming, and safe environments.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace: A Safety Issue
- Psychological Safety
- Opioids and the Workforce
Week 4: Advance Your Safety Journey
Safety is all about continuous self-assessment, refinement, and improvement. Whether you are an individual or an organization, the NSC has resources to help advance your safety journey:
Reacting After a Workplace Accident
Even workers who take every possible precaution to protect themselves and others around them can suffer harm in workplace accidents. When accidents do happen on the job, it’s important to remain calm, call for help, and seek immediate medical attention.
In addition to addressing your injuries, you’ll also want to give careful consideration to your rights and ability to recover needed compensation. This includes taking steps to notify your employer of your injury and coordinate with them to obtain information about their workers’ compensation insurance.
In some cases, especially in those involving construction accidents, the New York Labor Law may provide injured workers with options for seeking compensation through civil claims – which can allow an injured worker to recover compensation that isn’t available under workers’ comp. An experienced attorney can provide the counsel and guidance to help you navigate this process.
Our Attorneys Can Help
As a firm that’s been providing legal representation to injured victims, workers, and families across NYC since 1983, The Perecman Firm, P.L.L.C., knows the importance of being prepared. Unfortunately, we also know accidents can and do happen.
If you or someone you love has been hurt on the job or by another’s negligence, our award-winning attorneys are here to help. Our firm has recovered over half a billion in compensation for clients and represents victims in both workers’ compensation proceedings and civil personal injury claims.
To discuss a potential case, call or contact us online.
