Construction work is hard work. From the physical requirements to the exposure to dangerous heights, equipment and massive machinery, construction workers face many occupational hazards. Safety regulations exist to help protect workers from accidents. Unfortunately, the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health found in a recent study that construction employers are routinely violating laws put in place for worker safety, as well as building code requirements.
When construction companies cut corners, workers lose
Back injuries: common workplace injuries
Construction workers and those who perform related jobs are often at risk for serious injuries. They also have a higher risk for injuries that can seem more minor at the time, but that still have a significant impact on their ability to move freely and without pain. Because of that they can struggle to get work done, and they may need to take time off or move to a light duty assignment until they recover. That can cause them to eventually lose their job or look for another line of work, and can also cause construction projects to fall behind because of high injury rates for workers on that project. Back injuries often top the list.
New OSHA rule: Impact on automatic post-accident testing
Suffering an injury from a workplace accident is bad enough, but being forced to take a drug test afterwards can add insult to injury. The process is not new; it began in the late 1980s in response to tragic accidents at rail yards.
