Construction Safety Expert Comments on Dangerous Site Conditions

Case Overview

This case involves a roofer who was installing CertainTeed shingles on a multi-unit apartment complex. On the day of the incident in question, the Plaintiff fell several feet from the roof while he was installing the shingles, where he landed on a pallet of construction materials. The Defendant residential construction company was supposed to set up a harness system that would have allowed the roofers to tie on to anchor points on the roof as a means of fall prevention, however no such system was in place at the time of the accident. Despite this, there were no warnings provided to the workers, and no one was notified about the unfinished safety system. As a result of his fall, the Plaintiff suffered a number of significant injuries, including broken bones, a concussion, and spinal cord damage. As a result of the accident, the Plaintiff will no longer be able to work, and will require a lifetime of ongoing care.

Questions to the Construction Safety expert and their responses

Please discuss your background in setting safety standards in a construction setting.

I have nearly 20 years of experience in construction, at least 15 of which was focused on safety specifically. I am responsible for the implementation of numerous standards and regulations in my construction work, including environmental health and safety, HASPs and safety lock-out systems, and others.

Are there measures in place to notify a worker of any dangerous conditions?

While there may not be direct regulatory authorities governing the communication of conditions, best management practices (BMPs) on communicating hazards have become an industry standard.

What could have been implemented to avoid the accident?

From the facts presented, I believe that additional signage, temporary barricades, temporary fall protection, or simple communication could have been implemented to prevent the incident. Safety standards and building codes require adequate fall protection and notice of dangerous conditions if such protection has not been established. This kind of work should not be undertaken without adequate fall protection in place.

About the expert

This expert has over 15 years of experience as a construction and safety manager, managing all phases of building construction, demolition, and environmental remediation. He is Certified as a Construction Health and Safety Technician, a Construction Quality Control Manager, and a Construction Reviewer, while he has completed numerous OSHA safety courses. This expert has extensive experience with the New York Department of Transportation, the New York Department of Environment Protection, as well as the New York Department of Buildings. As a Site Safety Health Officer for the Dover Air Force Base, 50,000 man hours were logged with zero loss time incidents under his supervision. As a Safety Manager for MWHC Global, he developed, planned, and managed specific environmental health and safety programs including Fall Prevention Protection, Critical Lift (crane), Excavation and Trenching, and Scaffolding and Raised Platform, all in compliance with OSHA 1910, 1926, and EM 385 1-1. Currently, this expert is the Owner and Principal of an environmental and construction health and safety consulting firm, where he is regularly contracted as a Safety Manager/Coordinator for various construction projects.