Amazon HQ2 Could Stress Construction Industry

For months, municipalities around the country competed against each other in hopes of luring the new Amazon second headquarters to their areas. Significant tax incentives were offered along with a variety of other perks to attract upwards of 25,000 well-paying jobs. When the dust had settled, New York City was one of the winners, along with Arlington, Virginia.

Blowback on the deal has been significant and swift from many quarters, with protest in some areas. Some New Yorkers fear the new jobs will mostly go to transplants, moving more people into a city already struggling to provide adequate and safe public transportation. Whether or not this occurs remains to be seen, but the fears are real.

Another area where HQ2 (as the second Amazon headquarters is being popularly referred to) might put additional stress on New York is on the construction industry. Construction injuries have already skyrocketed in the last few years. A sudden need for hundreds or even thousands more construction workers increases the risk of under-trained individuals putting others at risk.

Amazon is promising a buildout of 8 million square feet of office space. That much construction will almost certainly lure new people into the industry as well as attracting out-of-work construction personnel from around the country. Some of these personnel will come from states with less strict building requirements, or will lack the skillset to work on high-rises.

If you or someone you love works construction in New York, you are likely already aware of the high risk of accidental injury or death. Though lawmakers have attempted to rein in the rising tide of injuries, the rates continue to climb. Please, if you or someone you know has been injured in a construction accident, consider meeting with an experienced lawyer regarding your case and hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions or inactions.