Final answer:
NIOSH studies recommend the wider use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent injuries and deaths. In New York, this would mean enforcing PPE use, providing training, and adhering to OSHA standards for a comprehensive approach to workplace safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recent studies by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have recommended that injuries and deaths could be prevented through wider use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE includes various items designed to protect workers from health and safety risks at work. Examples of these are safety helmets, goggles, earplugs, respirators, protective gloves, high-visibility clothing, safety footwear, and safety harnesses.
In the context of New York State, ensuring worker safety would involve enforcing the correct use of PPE across various industries and job sites, following the guidelines and standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA requires employers to prioritize hazard elimination and risk reduction through engineering and administrative controls, with PPE serving as a last line of defense when other measures are insufficient to mitigate risks. Proper training in the correct use and maintenance of PPE, alongside the enforcement of safety protocols, would be pivotal recommendations for the state. Issues such as inadequate evacuation plans and locked fire exits, which contributed to the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy, highlight the importance of comprehensive safety measures that include but aren't limited to the use of PPE.