The Role of Safety Regulations in Preventing Laredo Road Third Party Construction Site Accidents

Construction accidents can be severe for workers who improve and expand roads in Laredo, Texas. Unfortunately, the Laredo attorneys at Carabin Shaw know all too well how avoidable many of these tragic incidents are. In fact, on-the-job fatalities have declined by 60 percent since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began regulating workplaces in 1971.

If your employer is neglecting effective safety regulations, you might wonder what you can do—especially if you’ve been injured as a result. The counsel of an experienced lawyer is always invaluable for your specific case. However, you can also empower yourself by learning more about proper safety protocols and your OSHA-protected rights.

In 2021, transportation incidents caused nearly half of all workplace fatalities in Texas. Such incidents include everything from vehicles striking pedestrians in work zones to vehicles colliding with objects.

Because drivers passing through road work zones present a risk to construction workers, traffic control prevents many Laredo road third-party construction site accidents. For instance, you deserve the following safety features at your job site:

• Transportation management plan that considers passing drivers, construction vehicles, and pedestrian workers
• Signs that alert motorists to work zone conditions, such as reduced speed
• Traffic control devices (like cones and barriers) that comply with Federal Highway Administration standards
• Supervisor or other party who is designated to assess hazards
• Regular safety meetings
• Safety protocol specific to your work site

When your employer meets these standards, risks dramatically decline. But your employer’s neglect allows the mistakes of third parties, such as passing motorists, to cause irreversible harm.

Federal OSHA protects most workers in Texas. Under the law that formed OSHA, you have the following rights on your Laredo construction site:

• Right to a workplace that’s free from hazards
• Right to necessary protective equipment free of charge
• Right to information about hazards, exposure data, and incident records

To protect you, OSHA supplies comprehensive standards that they expect employers to meet. In general, these standards limit exposure to hazards and require the monitoring of workplace risks.

If your employer isn’t complying, you also have the right to file a complaint with OSHA. When you do this, you’re legally protected from your employer’s retaliation.

The first step is to notify your employer of the unsafe conditions. When these remain uncorrected, an attorney can help you file a complaint with OSHA at any time. Your legal team can also advise you when you have a right to refuse work that would expose you to a hazard.

If you’ve already been injured on the job, you deserve maximum compensation for construction site injuries in Laredo whether you’ve filed a complaint with OSHA or not. Workers’ compensation lawyers help you negotiate with insurance and handle disputes. It’s also not too late to request OSHA interventions.

Although workers’ compensation usually protects employers from lawsuits, your case might allow you to pursue a lawsuit against your employer. Even if this isn’t possible, however, you might still have a valid case against a third party.

You benefit from representation by lawyers who have experience with Texas construction site accidents and compassion for your suffering. At Carabin Shaw, our team is dedicated to investigating details thoroughly, proposing favorable legal actions, and explaining every option clearly.

This process begins with a free initial consultation and case review. By calling the toll-free number 800-862-1260 any day or time, you can speak with staff in English or Spanish to set up this initial appointment. Unlike an employer who’s neglected to care for you, Carabin Shaw’s client reviews should assure you of our team’s care for everyone who trusts us with their case.

• OSHA: Workers’ Rights handbook
• Texas Department of Insurance: Texas Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (2021)
• United States Department of Labor: OSHA’s 30th Anniversary
• United States Department of Transportation: Federal Highway Administration