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Is the Construction Industry Really Getting Safer?

As a construction worker, you may already know that you have one of the most dangerous jobs out there. While you take all the necessary precautions possible, construction injuries and deaths still happen every year. Given the fact that construction is still prevalent in the state of New York, it doesn’t appear that this type of work will be going away anytime soon. The more construction there is, the higher the risk of related accidents.

Your employer may tell you that the industry is safer on the whole. While the company you work with may have better safety standards in place compared with other employers, this assertion is certainly questionable. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported a steady decline in fatalities nationally between 2008 and 2011. At the same time, the unemployment level in the construction industry decreased on a national scale within that same timeframe. If you take this fact into consideration, it is safe to say that dangers always exist in the construction industry. The more workers there are, the higher the accident numbers.

It is also important to evaluate the safety numbers in the area you work. New York Daily News reported a 46-percent increase in jobsite injuries between 2011 and 2012. Much of this is related to a lack of funding for worksite inspections.

No matter where you work, the fact remains that construction is a dangerous industry. You can better protect yourself by following all safety protocols, and to refuse a job from an employer that just doesn’t seem right. Speak with a New York accident attorney immediately if you or a loved one is injured at a construction site.