Down Economy Ups Risk of Construction Injuries

Basic safety has always been a big concern in construction. Workers can fall from scaffolds or lose fingers to heavy equipment. The construction industry is inherently risky. Even in the best of times and with the best practices, workers can get hurt.

But observers are debating how the weak economy could affect construction injuries on Long Island and nationwide, whether it could lead to greater risk or simply lower numbers due to less construction.

Although New York City is already the biggest source of the state's construction injuries, Long Island has its own risks related to professionals and residents doing work.

A firefighter earlier this year fell to his death from a Long Island roof where he was helping a friend install solar panels. In Great Neck, equipment slipped, shearing off a worker's finger while he was doing excavation for sewers several years ago. In Valley Stream, a worker helping remove equipment from train tracks was injured by a surge of electricity.