Sometimes an employer does not provide the worker with adequate ladders or scaffolding to do a job. The Labor Law in New York State provides certain protections for many workers in these circumstances.  Section 240 of the Labor Law which (1) sets forth and limits the nature of the work that is covered when an injury occurs and (2) the types of devices that must be provided to the worker to prevent such injuries from occurring:

“All contractors and owners and their agents …  in the erection, demolition, repairing, altering, painting, cleaning or pointing of a building or structure shall furnish or erect, or cause to be furnished or erected for the purpose of such labor, scaffolding, hoists, stays, ladders, slings, hangers, blocks, pulleys, braces, irons, ropes, and other devices which shall be so constructed, placed and operated as to give proper protection to a person so employed.”

The phrase “other devices” means that the list as prescribed is not limited so long as the “device” is one that will provide “proper protection” when “furnished” by the employer and utilized by the employee worker.

If you have been injured because an employer did not provide you with adequate ladders or scaffolding to do construction, demolition, or other work, contact the Lawyers at Proner and Proner to discuss your rights.