Construction workers know they work in a dangerous profession, sometimes at elevations that can easily injure or kill.
I should know, too. My brother Liam Haley nearly died when he was working in the Port of Albany and fell through an unsecured and unmarked hole 92 feet down, headfirst. He landed on his feet after hitting steel beams, a scaffold crane and an electrician. His doctors thought that he would never wake up, but he survived, after two months in a coma and 15 surgeries. Yet he still struggles with memory problems.
In New York, a law called the Scaffold Law protects workers who work at heights. The law is pretty simple. It says that contractors are responsible for ensuring safety on the job and can be held accountable for accidents that happen when they break the rules.
In my brother's case, a properly used safety harness would have prevented the injury that permanently changed his life and almost ended it. Liam won't be able to work ever again, but because of the Scaffold Law, his medical bills and long-term care will be taken care of.
You'd think no one would argue against a rule requiring life-saving equipment be given to construction workers. But sadly, lobbyists for the construction industry are pushing hard to gut the Scaffold Law's protections before the end of this year's session.
They argue that the law is too expensive. It seems unbelievable that lobbyists could argue with a straight face that they can't provide life-saving safety equipment for their workers. But it's happening in Albany right now.New York should strengthen, not weaken, the laws that the protect working men and women.
Laurie Hersh lives in Ballston Spa. She cares for her brother Liam Haley, who was permanently injured in a 2009 construction accident.