Category Archives: outdoor workers

“Smart Vest” in the Works

Researchers striving to reduce the amount of construction worker injury and fatalities in highway work zones have designed a state of the art “smart vest.” The “smart vest,” developed by Virginia Tech Researches uses radio sensors to give construction workers sporting the vest a 5-6 second warning before a collision occurs. The technology would also […]

Sanitation Worker Fatally Struck by Garbage Truck

Authorities are currently investigating the death of a sanitation worker who was hit by a garbage truck in Melville, NY. According to preliminary reports the 44 year old worker was on the back of the garbage truck. At some point as the driver of the truck reversed, the worker ended up underneath the truck. Federal […]

Fatal Drowning in Westchester County

Late last month in Pound Ridge, NY a White Plains resident was attempting to service a water pump on Blue Heron Lake when he fell out of his canoe. Unfortunately the man was unsuccessful in holding onto his canoe, and drowned. The man was part of a landscaping crew attempting to install an irrigation pump […]

Firefighters Free Workers Stuck on Bridge Suspension

On Friday, May 22nd firefighters came to the rescue of two workers stuck on a piece of lifting equipment. The workers were on the Kosciuszko Bridge, elevated 100 feet off the ground when they became stuck. Workers are in the midst of a multi-year project to construct a new bridge. If you or a loved […]

Preventing Hypothermia in Outdoor Workers

Working outdoors in harsh weather conditions can leave workers susceptible to illness like hypothermia. Due to the long-term effects and potential fatalities of cold illnesses, a few prevention tips could save safe a life: Dress the Part: Avoid Cotton and Goose Down Clothing is the single most important resource to keep you warm. Once wet, […]

Winter Workers and Keeping Them Safe

Winter can affect hundreds of thousands of workers in our area. Under OSHA, each employer is responsible for providing a safe work environment for their employees and must protect workers from winter storms and hazardous weather conditions. OSHA issued more than 2,500 citations from October 2012 through September 2013. Some citations occur because manufacturers miss […]

Governor Cuomo Reminds Motorists to Slow Down in Work Zones Following DOT Workers Death

On August 19, Governor Cuomo announced a new video public service announcement to remind motorists to drive safely in construction zones. The PSA comes after a maintenance worker for New York State DOT, Gary Farrell, was hit by a vehicle and killed while flagging traffic in a work zone. “Motorists should always exercise extra caution […]

Heat Illness and Death Among Workers – Get the Facts

Exposure to heat and hot environments puts workers at risk for heat stress, which can result in heat illnesses and death. Under paragraph 5(a)(1) in the “general duty clause” of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, each employer is required to “furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment […]

Preventing Heat-Related Illness in Outdoor Workers

A recent NIOSH report offers advice to employers on the importance of preventing heat-related illness in workers. The report is based on an evaluation of heat stress at a national park in California, but the agency said its recommendations  can be applied to other worksites where extreme heat may be a factor. NIOSH found that […]

Scaffolding Safety: How to Prevent Falls and Injuries in the Workplace

If scaffolding is not used correctly and if proper precautions aren’t taken, serious injuries or even death in workers can occur. It is critical that managers and supervisors are aware of how to construct a safe working environment for its employees. It’s equally important for you as an employee to understand these safety measures, so […]