Massachusetts Workers' Compensation Lawyer Blog

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently settled litigation with NER Construction Management Inc., a Wilmington masonry contractor. The construction company has agreed to pay $134,000 in penalties and make significant safety protocol changes to protect company employees against workplace accidents. According to the terms of the settlement agreement that resolves litigation with the U.S. Department of Labor. At a jobsite located at Rowes Wharf in Boston, the original safety inspections were conducted by OSHA's Braintree Area Office in January 2011. OSHA cited NER for willful and serious violations of workplace safety standards. NER employees also faced falling hazards of up to 17 feet.

According to the terms of the settlement agreement that resolves litigation with the U.S. Department of Labor, NER has agreed to pay the fines and has verified that it has fixed all of the cited hazards and is now taking steps to increase workplace safety on all job sites. This new protocol includes performing a detailed hazard analysis on each job to determine fall protection safeguards for every employee on the job, providing competent personal training for all employees authorized to identify and correct fall hazards, and revising the company's disciplinary policy to include management employees. NER also agrees to provide OSHA with a monthly report of all job sites on which it will be working for the next year in addition to copies of any external safety audits conducted over the next two years.

Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator, said "Whenever OSHA cites employers, we're looking for them to not only correct specific cited hazards but also to take effective steps to prevent them from recurring…With this settlement, NER Construction Management pledges to take such steps for the safety of its workers." Michael Felsen, the Labor Department's New England regional solicitor, said "Our ultimate goal in litigating OSHA cases is to ensure that employers safeguard their workers against needless and potentially devastating hazards…This positive settlement both upholds OSHA's findings and lays a foundation for future compliance by this employer, which will result in safer workplaces for its employees." Attorney James Polianites of the department's Regional Office of the Solicitor in Boston litigated the case.

If you or your loved one has been injured in the workplace, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced Massachusetts workers' compensation lawyer.

Source:

US Labor Department reaches settlement with Wilmington, Mass., masonry contractor to enhance fall protection for workers, OSHA Regional News Release, December 21, 2011

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Department of Transportation Worker Falls Into Shaft in Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston

Street Cleaning Machine Accident Leaves Operator Dead; OSHA and State Police Reconstruction Team Investigating

OSHA Cites Somerville Commercial Laundry Service After Employee Injury

Mansfield Factory Worker Injured by Forklift

Continue reading "U.S. Labor Department and Construction Company Settle Litigation Over Workplace Safety" »

Two roofers at a residential construction site in Bridgewater were recently electrocuted when the ladder they were moving touched an electrical wire overhead. After a fellow construction worker called 911, emergency crews arrived to find that one of the workers, Angel Caguana, 23, of Brockton, was unconscious. Bridgewater Fire Lieutenant, Robert Mancinelli, said that Caguana was in cardiac arrest upon their arrival and the other victim, Antonio Gomes, 22, had been shocked but did not have life-threatening injuries. Mancinelli said firefighters administered CPR and applied a defibrillator to Caguana. His heart rate soon increased from zero to 120 and he started to breathe on his own. He was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital by MedFlight and his injuries were listed as serious. As a safety measure, Gomes was taken by ambulance to the Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton with non-life-threatening injuries. Police reported that both men work for a Brockton construction company and were installing a roof on the residence at the time of the accident.

Electrocution accidents can result from a wide variety of circumstances. Many electrocution accidents occur in the workplace and most frequently occur at construction sites, as was the case here. Because the majority of construction work involves the use or installation of electricity, construction workers are in close proximity to live wires, circuit breakers, control panels, or power lines, such as above.

Electrocution accidents can also occur from faulty wiring, or involve a faulty product, such as a hair dryer or microwave. As a safety precaution for the general public, the Western Massachusetts Electric Company recommends never to touch any downed or sagging power lines. Because it is very difficult to tell the difference between a telephone line, cable television line or electrical line, it is recommended to consider any line to be energized and thus potentially dangerous.

If you have suffered an electrocution accident on the job or have been injured at work, it is advised to contact an experienced Massachusetts workers´ compensation lawyer.

Sources:

Worker shocked by overhead wire is revived in Bridgewater, www.boston.com, November 9, 2011

Safety, Security and Lighting, Community Safety, Western Massachusetts Electric Co.

Related Blog Posts:

Repairman Loses Consciousness 14 Feet Underground in Septic Pump Chamber

Street Cleaning Machine Accident Leaves Operator Dead; OSHA and State Police Reconstruction Team Investigating

OSHA Cites Somerville Commercial Laundry Service After Employee Injury

Bostik Inc. Provides Cause for Plant Explosion and Worker Injuries in Middleton, Officials Continue Investigation

Western Massachusetts Electric Company Employee Electrocuted in Pittsfield

Continue reading "Two Roofers Shocked at Construction Site in Bridgewater" »

A repairman was rescued after passing out in a 14-foot deep septic pump chamber last Thursday, September 29, in West Bridgewater. The work-related accident happened just outside of a West Bridgewater car repair shop, where the repairman was fixing a broken valve. Although the sequence of events was at first confusing, officials confirmed that Williamson Electric Motor Service employee, Gus Futyma, 51, was repairing the broken valve in the septic pump chamber when he lost consciousness and became trapped. His co-worker, who is also his brother-in-law, said that he had been in the well for approximately ten minutes before complaining that he was having difficulty breathing. He then noticed that Futyma had fainted and immediately called for help.

Futyma was extracted from the hole by emergency medical personnel and was taken to a Brockton hospital, where he spent the night in intensive care. Although he was wearing a full harness that was tethered to a winch, the rescue crew had difficulty hoisting him up and had to cut a pipe to get Futyma out of the hole. West Bridgewater Fire Chief Leonard Hunt said, "Tried to pull him up…but he was a pretty heavy guy…He was unconscious at that point." Police performed CPR on Futyma until an ambulance arrived.

Bob Tilden, Futyma´s boss and owner of the company, said that his employees continuously train for this type of an emergency. He said, "We never wanted it to happen but we train for it." The question of why Futyma lost consciousness remains a mystery. Tilden said, "You're in a confined space. You have no idea what's down there." Although Futyma was complaining that he was having difficulty breathing before he passed out and the lack of oxygen is one reason for loss of consciousness, the case continues to be investigated by authorities.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also investigating the accident to determine exactly how the accident had occurred and whether or not workplace safety standards were violated. OSHA inspections must be completed within 180 days, involve an onsite inspection, interviews of persons involved, review of records, and any necessary testing.

If you or your loved one has been injured in the workplace, it is advised that you contact an experienced Massachusetts workers' compensation lawyer.

Source:

Repairman OK After Fainting 14 Feet Underground, TheBostonChannel.com, September 30, 2011

Related Blog Posts:

Department of Transportation Worker Falls Into Shaft in Ted Williams Tunnel in Boston

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OSHA Cites Somerville Commercial Laundry Service After Employee Injury

Mansfield Factory Worker Injured by Forklift

Continue reading "Repairman Loses Consciousness 14 Feet Underground in Septic Pump Chamber" »

An important decision has recently been made by a Massachusetts Chief Justice who has ruled that the wife of a deceased Massachusetts construction worker can sue the contractor who oversaw a construction site where her husband was killed and son was injured, despite the fact that the contractor has already paid workers’ compensation benefits.

In a 2005 Plum Island construction accident, Timothy Wentworth and his son were working for a subcontractor on a residential jobsite when the waterproofing material they were spraying exploded after a pilot light inside the house ignited. Timothy Wentworth died from his injuries sustained and his son, Ezekiel, sustained serious and disfiguring injuries.

The subcontractor they were working for was Great Green Barrier Co., a company from Maine that did not carry workers´ compensation insurance despite state requirements. The contractor who oversaw the job and subcontractor was Henry C. Becker Custom Building. Becker did carry workers´ compensation insurance and was thus obligated to pay benefits under Massachusetts law. Timothy Wentworth´s widow, Cheryl Wentworth, and Ezekiel, agreed to the settlements and were paid worker’s compensation by Becker in 2007.

Cheryl Wentworth also filed a civil lawsuit against Becker, accusing them of her husband´s death and son´s injuries due to the contractor´s negligence. Wentworth´s claim was initially refused as the court ruled that the accepted payment of worker´s compensation served as a release of all claims arising from the incident and that the contractor was immune from the family suing for a civil claim.

However, just this week, a Massachusetts Chief Justice has reversed the lower court´s decision and has enabled the Wentworths´ claim against the contractor to proceed in civil court. Chief Justice Roderick L. Ireland wrote in the court´s decision: “We conclude… that suits are not barred against general contractors that were obligated… to pay workers’ compensation benefits of the uninsured subcontractor’s employees… In sum, the immunity does not apply to the defendant (Becker).”

If you or your loved one suffers from injuries or death due to a work accident, it is best advised that you contact an experienced Massachusetts workers' compensation lawyer.

Source:

Massachusetts Court Allows Workers’ Suit Against Contractor, Claims Journal, May 23, 2011

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Continue reading "Massachusetts Court Decision Could Influence Contractor and Subcontractor Liability" »

Folan Waterproofing and Construction Co. Inc., of South Easton, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for nine serious violations of workplace safety standards at a Lowell jobsite. In December of last year, an OSHA inspector found a Folan worker climbing onto the roof of Immaculate Conception Church, at 144 E. Merrimack Street, directly from his aerial lift without any form of employee fall protection. After this observation, OSHA quickly began an investigation into Folan´s jobsite safety.

OSHA found that the company´s workers lacked fall protection while in or exiting the aerial lift, a faulty wire rope that they used to haul up construction materials had not been noticed or removed from use, workers were not wearing helmets, they were exposed to electric shock risks from underground electrical equipment, and the crane they were using had not been inspected at least once a year. Employees had also not received training to recognize aerial lift hazards. The contractor now faces $48,510 in fines for these safety breeches.

OSHA´s Andover area director, Jeffrey A. Erskin, said "Left uncorrected, these conditions exposed workers to falls of up to 40 feet, electrocution and being struck by a falling load…While it is fortunate that none of these employees was injured or killed, workplace safety should never be a matter of fortune, good or bad. Ensuring the safety of workers means ensuring that proper and effective equipment and work practices are in place and in use every day at every job site."

OSHA issues a serious violation when there is a probable chance that death or serious injuries could result from a work hazard that the employer should have known about or fixed.

If you have been injured in a construction accident or work accident while on the job, it is best advised that you contact an experienced Massachusetts workers' compensation lawyer.

Source:

US Labor Department's OSHA cites South Easton, Mass., contractor for fall, other hazards at Lowell, Mass., job site, OSHA Regional News Release, May 16, 2011

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Continue reading "OSHA Cites South Easton Contractor for Unprotected 40-foot Fall Hazard " »

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently released a compliance guide to help small construction businesses adhere to an important new rule for the use and operation of cranes and derricks. The new standard, Cranes and Derricks in Construction, was introduced in August of 2010, and had not been updated since it was first issued in 1971. Since then, there have been a large number of deaths and injuries related to cranes and derricks and also significant technological improvements to the cranes, both of which the new standard aims to address. It is estimated that crane and derrick accidents are the cause of approximately 22 fatalities and 175 injuries per year.

The compliance guide that was released on Tuesday, March 8, 2011, aims to help smaller businesses understand the changes and adhere to the new standard in order to promote a safer work environment for the construction industry. Some of the updated requirements include inspections of crane parts before they are assembled and assessment of ground conditions. The guide also outlines the new requirements which include, but are not limited to:

• Crane operators will need to be officially qualified or certified as of November 10, 2014.
• Clearance distances from power lines and to protect workers against electrocution hazards.
• Use of synthetic slings when climbing tower cranes and other assembly activities, and use of approved riggers, to ensure the structural stability.
• The new standard includes equipment that was not covered or had very few requirements in the prior standard, such as floating cranes.

Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, said "Over the past four decades, we've continued to see a significant number of worker injuries and deaths from electrocution, crushed-by and struck-by hazards while performing cranes and derricks operations...This guide will help employers understand what they must do to protect their workers from these dangerous, sometimes fatal incidents." For the complete guide, visit OSHA’s Small Entity Compliance Guide for Final Rule Cranes and Derricks in Construction.

If you have been injured while working on a construction site or have a question about a case, feel free to contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free consultation.

Source:

OSHA issues guidance document to help small businesses comply with cranes and derricks rule, OSHA Trade News, March 8, 2011

Continue reading "OSHA Produces Guide for New Crane and Derrick Standard" »

Two Massachusetts contractors have been cited for similar trench violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration within the past week.

On February 25, 2011, the first contractor cited was A.A. Will Corp., of Stoughton, for willful and repeat violations of workplace trench safety at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Wonderland Station in Revere, where they were installing electrical vaults in the parking lot of the station. Prompted by complaints of an unsafe jobsite, OSHA found workers in a ditch deeper than 5 feet without collapse protection or a ladder, which is a repeat violation for this contractor for a similar situation in February 2010 at a Boston jobsite. The company faces $69,300 in proposed fines.

The second contractor cited, Trainor Construction Co., of Canton, Massachusetts, was cited on February 28, 2011, for willful and serious violations of workplace safety at a jobsite at 270 Centre Street in Boston. Upon the inspection of the jobsite, where Trainor was replacing a water main, OSHA found that a 7-7 1/2 foot trench had inadequate protection against collapse and lacked the needed bracing for an unsupported concrete structure next to the excavation. Furthermore, employees were not wearing reflective vests or bright clothes to protect them from oncoming vehicle traffic. The company faces a total of $29,000 in proposed fines.

OSHA recognizes trenching and excavating as one of the most dangerous aspects of construction because of the risk of cave-ins. Thus, OSHA requires that all trenches deeper than 5 feet need to be guarded and braced for potential collapse. Soil analysis is also important before digging starts. Additional hazards, such as underground power lines or natural gas, also need to be noted. Prior to workers entering the trench, it needs to be inspected by someone who is trained in trench safety. OSHA provides a complete overview of their trench safety requirements on their Trenching and Excavation page.

OSHA's Area Director for Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts, Brenda Gordon, said, "An unprotected trench can become a prison or a grave in seconds if its walls cave in on workers…Employers should never allow employees into a trench until it has been effectively protected against collapse. Workers' lives depend on it."

Our lawyers have over 25 years of experience representing clients who have been injured on the job. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like a free consultation.

Sources:

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Stoughton, Mass., contractor for failing to provide cave-in protection at Revere, Mass., jobsite, OSHA Regional News Release, February 25, 2011

US Labor Department's OSHA cites Canton, Mass., contractor for failing to provide cave-in protection at Boston jobsite, OSHA Regional News Release, February 28, 2011

Continue reading "OSHA Cites Two Massachusetts Contractors for Trench Violations" »

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recently cited a Masssachusetts contractor currently working on the Hultman Aqueduct project in Weston for repeat and serious violations of workplace safety. The Barletta Heavy Division Inc., from Canton, has been charged with a $52,500 fine for these violations.

Barletta’s previous citations were from inspections in 2008 for potential fall hazards at their jobsites at Commonwealth Pier and Ashmont Station in Boston. When OSHA inspected the aqueduct tunnel, they found similar hazards, such as an unprotected 14-foot fall and an inadequate ladder that did not reach over the edge the required three feet, making the ladder unstable. The company is charged with $37,500 for these repeated safety violations.

Furthermore, OSHA cited Barletta with three serious violations for extremely high noise in the tunnel and their employees did not have hearing protection, a lack of fire extinguishers in the tunnel, and for a live electrical panel that was exposed. OSHA issues serious citations only when there is a serious possibility that death or injury could result from a workplace hazard that the employer could have fixed. These three serious citations resulted in $15,000.

Our experienced lawyers have represented clients throughout Massachusetts who have suffered injuries due to workplace hazards for over 25 years. If you have a question in regards to a workers' compensation case and would like a free consultation, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Source:
US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Canton, Mass., contractor on Hultman Aqueduct project in Weston, Mass., for repeat and serious violations, OSHA Regional News Release, February 22, 2011

Continue reading "Massachusetts Contractor Fined for Safety Hazards at Hultman Aqueduct Project " »

Administrative Law Judge Covette Rooney has recently ruled to uphold the U.S. Department of Labor’s eight citations for excavation violations, numerous construction hazards, and $91,200 in fines issued to a Boston contractor for insufficient work safety at a jobsite in Newton, Massachusetts. Shawn Telsi, doing business as Life Time Homes, Green Pines and/or Telsi Builders contested the citations and fines brought against him by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Telsi subsequently had the case heard by Rooney, a commission administrative law judge, who found all four willful and four serious citations against the company to be valid. The citations were issued due to the lack of head protection, the deficiency of cave-in protection in a pit that was at least 14-feet deep, for not having a safe exit from the excavation, soil that was in multiple piles at the edges of the trench, and because of the risk of impalement due to protruding and unguarded steel rebar. Marthe Kent, OSHA's New England regional administrator, said "Serious, life-threatening hazards remained uncorrected even after they were brought to this employer's attention…had the unprotected 14-foot-high excavation wall collapsed, it would have engulfed workers who were pouring concrete formwork and crushed them beneath tons of concrete, soil and debris."

Michael Felsen, the Labor Department's regional solicitor for New England, said "Employers must understand that they cannot disregard standards meant to protect the life and safety of their employees without facing consequences." Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthy workplaces for their employees.

For over 40 years, our attorneys have been representing personal injury and workers’ compensation victims. If you have a question or would like a free consultation, feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experienced attorneys.

Source:

US Labor Department secures decision affirming willful and serious trenching violations, $91,200 in fines against Boston contractor, OSHA Regional News Release, February 7, 2011

Continue reading "Judge Confirms OSHA's Citations Against Boston Contractor" »

Earlier this month, a wall collapse at a sand plant in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin claimed the life of a 36-year-old worker. He was reportedly killed when a wall he was standing on collapsed, pinning him underneath and resulting in fatal compression injuries to his head and chest.

According to reports, three other workers were taken to the hospital but the extent of their injuries was unknown. The company involved in the fatal workplace accident says it is cooperating with investigators.

Here in Massachusetts, a construction accident in Lynn earlier this year killed a 39-year-old worker when a sandbag fell from the roof of a construction site, hitting him on the head.

Source: Man dies in Wis. construction site accident, Chron.com, December 21, 2010

Continue reading "Worker Dies of Compression Injuries After Wall Collapse" »

Officials say a 51-year-old worker died in a construction accident earlier this month. The accident victim was working as part of a crew that was widening a stretch of Illinois 146 between the intersection of Illinois 3 and East Cape. A section of the work zone reportedly collapsed, and the man was trapped under at least a foot of drying concrete.

Traffic was stopped immediately following the accident and resumed about two hours later. A coroner declared the worker dead at the scene of the accident. The coroner’s office and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the fatal workplace accident.

Here in New England, a 27-year-old construction worker died after a concrete slab collapsed on him earlier this year.

Source: Stonefort man victim in fatal construction accident, TheSoutherner.com, December 22, 2010

Continue reading "Construction Worker Pronounced Dead After Being Trapped Under Concrete" »

Following an explosion that injured a worker at a Salisbury maintenance facility in July, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Massachusetts construction contractor with 11 alleged serious violations of safety standards. The citations carry a total of $44,000 in proposed fines.

According to accident reports, the worker was welding on a pontoon boat when vapors ignited from within the boat. OSHA investigators found that the boat lacked proper ventilation to ensure the escape of flammable gasses before welding. Additionally, investigators found that guards had not been set up to confine heat, sparks, and slag and combustibles were not properly shielded.

Although there were no fatalities in connection with the welding accident, OSHA’s area director for Essex and Middlesex counties said the accident underscores the importance of safety procedures because the worker’s injuries were preventable. OSHA investigates workplace safety issues and issues citations for safety violations, but in some cases there may be grounds for a work injury claim.

Source: Explosion at Mass. Maintenance Facility Leads to $44,000 Penalty, OHSonline.com, December 18, 2010

Continue reading "Salisbury Construction Contractor Cited by OSHA Following Explosion" »

A New England construction accident resulted in the death of a worker earlier this month. Authorities say the 29-year-old man fell off the Deer Isle Bridge in Maine while working on the bridge. He reportedly fell about 40 feet and sustained massive head trauma. While en route to the hospital, the worker died of those injuries sustained on the job.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will be investigating the cause of this workplace fatality.

Here in the Commonwealth, Massachusetts workers have recently been injured by collapsing roofs, falling objects, and other hazards. Those accidents are typically investigated by OSHA, which cites employers who fail to meet safety standards. However, in some cases, injured workers and their families may also be entitled to workers’ compensation, lost wages, and other forms of compensation when employers or other parties are responsible for the injuries.

Source: Man dies in construction accident, WCSH6.com, December 6, 2010

Continue reading "Construction Worker Dies from Head Injuries Sustained During Fall" »

Last Wednesday, a construction worker was injured at a restaurant construction site after a wooden wall panel fell on him. He’d been standing on a semitrailer helping guide the wall panel as it was being raised by a crane when it fell to the ground and hit him.

Police reports initially stated that the 50-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries; however, his son said on Friday that the worker was in an intensive care unit on a breathing tube. He’d reportedly suffered a punctured lung, broken ribs, a broken arm, and a broken back. There was no timetable given on when he would be released from the hospital, but his son said it could be months.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to investigate the construction accident to determine if any safety regulations were violated. In additional to falling objects, construction workers are also at risk for explosions, electrical shocks, crane accidents, and other hazards.

Source: Construction accident victim is in intensive care unit, ArgusLeader.com, December 4, 2010

Continue reading "Worker In ICU After Being Injured by Falling Wood Panel" »

Last Thursday afternoon, a Massachusetts roof collapse seriously injured a worker who was standing on a shorter roof helping yank a gable from a home on Thorndike Street in Somerville. A wind reportedly took caught the gable and a large piece of the roof, which landed on him, resulting in a serious head injury. He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital.

The Somerville Fire Captain said the workers had the proper permit but were not wearing hardhats. Seven other demolition workers were present at the scene of the accident but declined to comment. The 11-room, 2.5 story duplex they were working on was originally built in 1910.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) typically investigates the scene of construction accidents resulting in injuries to determine if any safety regulations were not followed.

Source: One man seriously injured in Somerville roof collapse, Wicked Local Somerville, December 7, 2010

Continue reading "Somerville Roof Collapse Injures Worker During Demolition" »

Two UK workers were injured when the stone staircase they were taking apart by sledgehammers collapsed under their feet. Both were hit by falling debris, and the two are lucky to be alive, according to one safety expert.

One worker was trapped by blocks of stone and suffered fractures to all of his ribs and three vertebrae, a punctured lung, a damaged finger, and serious foot injuries. It took several men to shift the stone treads and free him. The other worker sustained bruises, cuts, and serious trauma.

Following an investigation of the staircase collapse, the building firm that employed the two injured workers has been fined the equivalent of about $9,300.

Here in the United States, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) handles investigations of potential safety violations in the workplace. Several Massachusetts construction companies have been cited in recent years for failing to meet safety standards.

Source: Two Paisley workers are lucky to be alive after construction accident, Paisley Daily Express, November 26, 2010

Continue reading "Workers Survive Stair Collapse, Employer Fined" »

According to the Yale Daily News, investigators from the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are still investigating whether safety violations were a factor in the September 13 construction accident that killed one worker and injured three others.

None of the three injured workers have returned to work following the accident, and of two of the three are still in the care of doctors. One of the workers underwent three surgeries at the Yale-New Haven Hospital, according to the president of the worker union Local 424 United Ironworkers. The worker’s injuries reportedly included eye damage, a broken pelvis, and a concussion. He was at a rehabilitation center in New York and expected to be sent home soon.

Another worker said that two months after the accident twisted his leg from the knee down, he has finally been able to bend his knee again, though he cannot put weight on his foot.

Many workers involved in accidents suffer similar injuries that require months of surgery and rehabilitation. Some injured workers are not able to return to work for months, if at all. That’s why our Massachusetts construction accident lawyers are committed to ensuring that you get the medical attention you need and the compensation you deserve following a serious accident.

Source: Investigation of fatal accident continues, Yale Daily News, November 30, 2010

Continue reading "Federal Officials Still Investigating Fatal Construction Accident" »

Earlier this month, a construction worker suffered burns to over 50% of his skin after a major gas line explosion in Fort Myers, Florida. The 30-year-old worker was in critical condition at Tampa’s General Burn Unit. He was reportedly working the bulldozer that punctured the 8 inch line, and his brother rescued him.

Another accident victim sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene of the accident. The construction accident occurred around 2pm, and barriers surrounding the scene of the accident came down around midnight that night. Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration plan to investigate.

Here in Massachusetts, a gas explosion in Readville damaged several buildings, causing 40 homes to be evacuated earlier this month. Such explosions can cause significant damage to property and cause debilitating personal injuries.

Source: Roads back open after gas line explosion, WinkNews.com, November 12, 2010

Continue reading "Two Construction Workers Injured in Gas Line Explosion" »

Juan Alvarado, a 39-year-old Lynn man, was killed on Saturday when a sandbag fell from the roof of a construction site and struck him on the head.

The accident occurred at 60 Washington Street in Salem where a crew from Victor Sosa Construction Inc. was working on the roof. Alvarado was working for the company when the fatal accident occurred. He was taken to the North Shore Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is currently investigating the cause of the accident.

Source: The Boston Globe, Lynn man killed in worksite accident in Salem

Continue reading "Falling Sandbag Kills Lynn Man at Construction Site" »

A construction worker was killed instantly last Monday when a concrete slab collapsed on him at a house construction site in Connecticut. Emergency responders arrived at the scene of the accident around 3pm and worked to rescue the 27-year-old man and a second worker was who also injured. The other worker was taken to Greenwich Hospital, and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the fatal construction accident.

Here in Massachusetts, several local companies have been cited by OSHA for alleged trench hazards. The goal of OSHA safety investigations is to prevent workplace accidents like the one that recently claimed the life of a construction worker last week.

Source: Police ID man killed in slab collapse, WTNH.com, November 2, 2010

Worker killed by concrete slab collapse in Conn., NECN.com, November 1, 2010

Continue reading "Trench Accident Kills Construction Worker, Injures Another" »

On Thursday afternoon, a construction contractor employee was injured in a work zone after a protruding rail was reportedly hit by a passing vehicle, causing the rail to be deflected into the worker. The worker was loading piping that is used as railing to guide a concrete finishing machine, according to the incident report.

After suffering head injuries, the worker was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. Local engineers checked the work area to ensure that applicable safety regulations were being followed.

Here in Massachusetts, the Brain Injury and Statewide Specialized Community Services maintains a list of resources and services for those have suffered an externally caused traumatic brain injury, Massachusetts residents of all ages who have a documented brain injury caused by external forces such as a car accident or a serious fall are eligible to apply.

Source: Construction worker hurt on Natcher Parkway, WFIE.com, October 29, 2010

Continue reading "Construction Worker Sustains Head Injury in Highway Accident" »

Earlier this month, a construction accident injured a painter who was working on a platform below an interstate bridge. Crews shut down traffic in two lanes as they worked transport the man to safety and reopened traffic about an hour later.

The painter is expected to be OK, but the accident highlights the serious risk of fall accidents. Earlier this year, a Massachusetts worker fell from a forklift and died at a Yankee Candle Co. warehouse in Deerfield.

However, the majority of fatal falls in Massachusetts are from scaffolding accidents. That’s why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires employers to follow safety standards regarding fall protection and proper safety training to prevent workplace injuries.

Source: Construction Accident On I-94 Bridge Snarls Traffic, WCCO.com, October 20, 2010

Continue reading "Construction Accident Highlights Risk of Fall Hazards" »

Recently, the 3rd Appellate Court of Appeals in Wisconsin made the decision that a subcontractor does not bear the responsibility for a construction site accident involving construction barricades placed by the subcontractor if those barricades are put up in accordance with instructions.

The case involved a woman who tripped over a leg of a barricade that had been placed around part of a concrete sidewalk while it was curing. The woman suffered two fractured wrist bones and chipped a third, resulting in surgery. She and her brother tried to sue the city of River Falls, where the tripping accident occurred, as well as the subcontractor hired by the city.

The decision stated that as long as the subcontractor follows the city’s instructions, they are covered by government immunity. The court recommended the decision for publication, indicating that should set a precedent in future cases.

According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), subcontractors are responsible for their employees, including maintaining injury and illness logs, regardless of how many workers are employed by the subcontractor.

Source: Court rules construction site fall is not subcontractor’s responsibility, WisLawJournal.com, October 6, 2010

Continue reading "Massachusetts Injury Lawyer Examines Subcontractor’s Responsibility in Accident" »

The United Kingdom has declared this week National Fork Lift Safety Week. As far as we could tell, there is no similar awareness week in Massachusetts or the rest of the United States, but perhaps it’s time.

According to stats recently released by the Fork Lift Truck Association (FLTA), 43 people, including two teens, are likely to be seriously injured by fork lift trucks in the UK over the next week.

Statistically speaking, this would include eleven serious, long-term injuries such as amputations and twenty pedestrians hit by a moving truck. Fatalities involving fork lifts occur on average every six weeks, and that rate doubles in September as companies add staff in preparation for the end of the year.

FLTA’s chief executive says managers and supervisors need to do a better job of enforcing safety regulations and training staff to avoid fork lift accidents.

Source: National Fork Life Safety Week, Abeceder.co.uk, September 19, 2010

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A collapsed steel beam at a construction site in New Haven, Connecticut has injured four people. The construction accident occurred on Winchester Avenue around 10am today when the beam collapsed and feel about 30 feet, trapping a man under the beam.

Two of the injured workers are in critical condition and one is in serious condition, all at Yale-New Haven Hospital. The fourth worker is in stable condition at St. Raphael Hospital. The identities of the injuries workers have not been released.

The site building is owned by Yale University. Another accident reportedly injured another person at the same construction site a month ago.

Source: 4 injured after construction accident, WTNH.com, September 13, 2010

Contact the Massachusetts construction accident attorneys at Altman & Altman if you have been injured on a construction work site.

Last month, a construction worker was killed after being pulled from the ruble of a Norfolk condo explosion. The 48-year-old man was stuck under the burning debris for an hour and a half before being rescued and taken to Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, where he died about 10:30pm that night.

The construction accident occurred at a condo being constructed at a community for people 55 and older. Authorities say they have not determined the cause of the explosion, but they believe it was accidental.

Several other workers were injured in the explosion, including a 72-year-old man from Foxboro, a 43-year-old man from Franklin, and a 17-year-old man from Wrentham. A resident who lived in an attached condo managed to leave the building herself. She was treated for exposure to the effects of the blast at Rhode Island Hospital.

Source: Construction accident, Telegram.com, July 31, 2010

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This past week, two construction workers were working below street level in Bellingham Square in Chelsea when their equipment contacted an electrical line, causing an explosion. The explosion, which is currently under investigation by the Federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), injured two workers.

One of the injured workers, a 50-year-old resident of Everett, was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for treatment of the injuries he sustained from the construction accident. The other construction worker injured by the blast received medical treatment at the scene.

The workers' compensation and personal injury attorneys at Altman & Altman have successfully represented injured workers and their families throughout Massachusetts for over 50 years. If you have been injured on the job, please contact our office for an initial consultation free of charge.

Source: OSHA is investigating Bellingham Square Accident, The Chelsea Record, August 4, 2010

William Nichols, a 58 year old electrician, passed away Friday night as a result of injuries he sustained from a Norfolk home explosion. William Nichols was working in his capacity as an electrician when the Norfolk home suddenly exploded, injuring Nichols and seven others.

Nichols was airlifted to Brigham and Women’s Hospital where he was subsequently pronounced dead. The explosion also injured four other construction workers, two firefighters and a resident who lives in an adjoining unit.

The blast occurred around 12:30 pm as a construction crew was working on the heating and air conditioning system in the unfinished section of a Duplex at the Village at River’s Edge in Norfolk. The explosion caused the ceiling of the home to collapse which trapped Nichols in the basement for over 90 minutes before rescue workers were able to remove him from the rubble.

Continue reading "Seven Injured, One Dead Following a Propane Explosion in Norfolk Home Under Construction" »

Following a serious construction accident in Salem, Massachusetts, the Commonwealth has ordered the exterior walls to be removed from the new state courthouse. The $106 million courthouse construction project was to include 576 outside wall panels, but after a 500-pound limestone wall panel fell and seriously injured a worker, the contractor halted work on the panels.

A spokesperson for the agency overseeing the construction project said it would take a few weeks to remove the154 limestone panels that had already been installed, but it should not delay the project, which is due to open in the summer of 2011.

Federal investigators have gotten involved and are looking to discover the cause of the construction accident. The construction manager said he plans to conduct his own investigation. Both investigations could take several months to complete.

Source: State orders wall panels removed from Salem court building, Gloucester Daily Times, June 30, 2010

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Here in Massachusetts, we’ve had several notable subway and construction accidents in recent years. Workers in China face many of these same hazards; in fact, two workers were killed in a Beijing construction accident earlier this week.

On Wednesday, emergency response crews retrieved the bodies of the two workers whose bodies were buried under debris. The steel supporting the structure reportedly collapsed around 4:30pm local time, pouring steel, rocks, and dirt on top of the construction workers.

Eight other workers sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. The cause of the construction site accident is still being investigated.

Source: Two killed in Beijing subway construction site accident, Xinhuanet.com, July 14, 2010

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On Friday morning, a sub-contractor working on upgrades to a power plant at a college in Virginia was injured by a falling pipe. The iron and insulation pipe reportedly measured 40 feet long with a one foot diameter.

Firefighters from a nearby city responded to the construction accident.

The unidentified construction accident victim suffered a laceration and bruises on one leg. He was taken to a local elementary school, where he was airlifted to the hospital. A spokesperson for the college said the sub-contractor’s injuries were non-life-threatening.

Source: Worker at W&M hurt by falling pipe, The Virginia Gazette, June 25, 2010

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CBS 3 Springfield News reports that this is shaping up to be a busy summer for Massachusetts construction crews. With federal stimulus dollars backing new construction projects, crews are out in full force drilling, digging, and working. While this is good news for many of the workers employed in these projects, it also means increased risk of workplace accidents. Among those hazards are explosions or cave-in accidents.

That’s why Westfield firefighters and firefighters from Holyoke, Pittsfield, and Boston are learning how to save someone who’s been buried alive. Trench rescues require different equipment and expertise from fires and other types of accidents. Often, it can take four to six hours compared to the hour and a half that it might take to put out a fire.

It can also be dangerous for the rescuers, because of the risk of unstable ground. Fire officials remind the public that bystanders should not rush in and help at a construction accident, because they could get injured themselves.

Source: Danger in the Trenches, CBS 3 Springfield News, June 9, 2010

Continue reading "Massachusetts Authorities Remind the Public About Construction Hazards" »

Earlier this week, a Massachusetts worker was injured during his morning coffee break when pieces of a 500-poud panel fell on him. The 34-year-old man was working at the J. Michael Ruane Judicial Center, a new court facility being constructed on Salem’s Federal Street. Construction on the facility began in 2008.

The accident occurred at 9:37am on Tuesday and reportedly caused serious injuries to both of the worker’s legs and one of his arms. When emergency responders arrived at the scene of the accident, they found broken chunks of the panel scattered around the victim, a Stoneham resident.

He was transported by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. OSHA is investigating the construction accident.

Source: Court project worker hurt as 500 pounds of rock falls, Gloucester Times, June 15, 2010

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Over the weekend, a highway construction accident seriously injured a worker when he was hit by a car. Police said the 22-year-old man was working in a construction zone early Sunday morning when an eastbound vehicle entered the two-lane construction zone and hit him around 2:15am Sunday morning.

The injured worker was taken to Saint Mary’s Health Care, and driver allegedly responsible for the construction accident was arrested at the scene of the accident. Police say they believe alcohol may have been a factor, but they have not released any additional details.

The workplace accident remains under investigation.

Source: Lansing man injured in construction accident, Lansing State Journal, May 17, 2010

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Last week, a construction accident claimed the life of a Georgia machinery operator. The man was operating a bob-cat at a high school construction site when he was hit and killed by the machine's boom.

According to reports, the worker was partially out of the bob-cat when it killed him. He had apparently climbed out of the front of the driver's seat to adjust the machine or remove some debris when he caused the raised shovel arm to drop, pinning him head to the steel cage. The construction accident victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident by the coroner.

Sheriff's deputies and investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the fatal construction accident.

Source: One Killed In Construction Accident At High School, CBSAtlanta.com, April 21, 2010

Douglas County construction worker crushed to death, Atlanta-Journal Constitution, April 21, 2010

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In December, a Newburyport scaffolding accident injured two workers who were working on the roof of a two-story home. The scaffolding apparently collapsed and threw the two men to the concrete sidewalk below, causing back and head injuries to both men, one of whom was the contractor himself. They were airlifted separately to Boston hospitals.

While investigating the construction accident, OSHA inspectors found six proposed six safety violations at the job site where the two men were injured. Four of the violations carry proposed fines of $2,100 each. The other two carry $1,500 fines. All six of the violations were classified as "serious."

According to OSHA, the scaffolding was inadequate and employees were not protected from fall hazards or properly trained to work on a scaffold. OSHA also alleges that the job site was not equipped with protective systems to prevent falls and that the ladder was unsecured. The contractor has filed notice that it will be contesting the fines.

Source: OSHA seeks fines in Kent St. building accident, The Daily News, April 14, 2010

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On Wednesday, a traffic collision on Route 3 South in Plymouth sent a highway worker to the hospital with minor injuries.

The Boston Channel reports that a Massachusetts State Police cruiser rear-ended a construction vehicle. The police officer driving the cruiser was apparently not injured.

According to reports, the motor vehicle crash occurred just before noon roughly one mile north of the Sagamore Bridge. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the auto accident.

Sources: State Police Cruiser Strikes Construction Vehicle, TheBostonChannel.com, April 14, 2010

Highway worker hurt when cruiser hits truck on Route 3, Patriot Ledger, April 14, 2010

Continue reading "Plymouth Traffic Accident Injures Construction Worker" »

Last week, a trench collapse killed a 56-year-old worker in Hudson, Ohio. The workplace accident also injured a 58-year-old worker who remained in serious condition at a local hospital.

Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the 15-foot-deep trench was unsafe and lacked safety protections in the area where the two workers were digging a sewer line at the time of the collapse. According to OSHA, trenches of that depth should be protected by sloping the walls or strengthening the sides with a shield or shoring materials to prevent a collapse.

OSHA is continuing to investigate the cause of the fatal construction accident.

Source: OSHA: Hudson trench lacked basic safety protections, Vindy.com, April 9, 2010

Continue reading "OSHA Says Trench Lacked Proper Safety Measures" »

A wall collapse at an elementary school construction site has killed a 57-year-old construction worker. A gust of wind apparently blew over a cement block wall under construction, falling on the construction accident victim.

The area was experiencing severe thunderstorms at the time of the accident, and various reports showed gusts of up to 50 mph. Workers called it a freak accident.

The fatal construction accident occurred in Blairsburg, Ohio at 12:03pm Friday afternoon. Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be investigating the incident.

Sources: Construction worker dies in accident at NE Hamilton Elementary School, Radio Iowa, April 2, 2010

Worker Dies In Wall Collapse Near School, KCCI.com, April 2, 2010

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Last week, an industrial accident in Franklin, Connecticut trapped a worker inside the cab of a skid steer after a fork lift reportedly crashed into the skid steer. It took firefighters roughly 50 minutes using cutting tools and hydraulic lifts to free the unidentified man. State police say he was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries.

The fork lift accident was reported just after 7pm on Wednesday, March 24. It occurred at a construction site for a cell phone tower near the town's library and fire department.

A state crane inspector and a compliance officer from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the construction accident.

Site: One man injured in construction accident in Franklin, Norwich Bulletin, March 25, 2010

Continue reading "New England Fork Lift Accident Traps and Injures Worker" »

Earlier this week, a three-story building collapsed unexpectedly, injuring three construction workers and a passerby. The building accident occurred around 1:30pm Monday afternoon in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. The workers were reportedly adding a fourth floor to the building and removed a critical beam, which made the building unstable.

One construction worker was trapped in the debris for roughly 20 minutes while coworkers and passerby worked to free him. He was buried up to his neck and was transported to Bellevue Hospital in critical but stable condition.

Injuries to the other two workers were less severe. One injured worker escaped with minor injuries, and another refused medical treatment after sustaining minor bumps and bruises. A pedestrian who rushed to aid the injured workers was taken to the hospital for observation.

A building department spokesperson said building violations will be issued in connection with the incident.

Source: 3 construction workers and a passerby hurt in Williamsburg building collapse, New York Daily News, March 29, 2010

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On Tuesday morning, a contractor died in a scaffolding accident. According to police, the construction accident occurred around 11am after the scaffolding collapsed, causing the man to suffer massive head and body trauma that led to his death. He was reportedly installing a fourth floor window in a residential building when he fell.

The injured contractor was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. The local newspaper reports that another man was injured by the scaffolding collapse, but his name and condition were not released.

Construction sites present numerous hazards to workers, including on-site explosions, defective tools, fires, falling objects, crane or scaffolding accidents, and other dangers. The repercussions of these accidents can be life-altering and may lead to long-term disability or casualties.

Source: Cullman man dies in construction accident, Cullman Times, March 23, 2010

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Our Massachusetts wrongful death lawyers have learned that a construction worker died on Friday afternoon when the walls of a 6-foot-deep trench collapsed and pushed him into the sewer main, killing him instantly.

The 25-year-old was working to install a storm sewer line roughly 10 feet underground when the construction accident occurred in the town of Alamo, Texas. Reports say there were four other construction workers nearby at the time.

Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will examine the site of the construction accident to determine if any safety mandates were violated.

Source: Man dies in Alamo construction accident, The Monitor, March 5, 2010

Continue reading "Cave in Accident Kills Construction Worker" »

Last week, an unidentified construction worker fell into an uncovered 20-foot shaft and sustained severe injuries, including a potential traumatic brain injury and a leg injury. The shaft reportedly houses a lower concrete platform that stores mechanical equipment. According to the San Antonio Express-News, the construction accident occurred around 7:45am at San Antonio College's Nail Technical Center.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene of the workplace accident and pulled the worker out of the shaft. He was apparently conscious while rescuers transported him to a local hospital for medical treatment. It was unclear whether the man was wearing a hard hat at the time of the fall or why the metal grate was left open.

The construction accident remains under investigation by local authorities and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Source: Construction worker injured at San Antonio College after falling into 20-foot hole, JusticeNewsFlash.com, March 1, 2010

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Earlier this week, two construction workers died after the trench they were working in collapsed on top of them, burying them alive. The deadly workplace accident occurred in Oklahoma around 2:45pm on Tuesday.

Local fire officials reported that the workers were digging a hole for a septic tank when the trench collapsed. Due to unstable soil, rescue crews were not able to immediately rescue the men, ages 32 and 44. Crews finally recovered their bodies by 10:30pm that night.

The cause of the trench collapse is not known, but the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration will be investigating this fatal accident, and the state medical examiner's office will perform an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Source: Two Oklahoma construction workers buried alive, JusticeNewsFlash, February 23, 2010

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OSHA is reportedly wrapping up its investigation of Middletown Middletown gas plant explosion that killed five workers and injured 21 workers earlier this month. The state's public safety commissioner announced on Tuesday that he anticipates the investigation will wrap up over the next several weeks. While the site is no longer considered a crime scene, investigators have not ruled out a possible crime.

OSHA is investigating the accident site along with Massachusetts state police and the US Chemical and Safety Board. According to federal law, OSHA has up to six months complete an investigation and determine whether any safety regulations were violated.

According to Middletown's chief building inspect, it appeared that the workers had performed a purge of gas lines by sending nitrogen through the line, followed by natural gas to clear out any moisture, which is "an accepted and approved method."

Source: OSHA investigating Middletown gas plant explosion site, The Register Citizen, February 17, 2010

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According to officials from the Massachusetts National Guard, two civilian construction workers were injured earlier this week while renovating a vacant barracks. The construction accident occurred around 9:22am on Wednesday when a cement ceiling collapsed. The workers were apparently dismantling part of the suspended plaster and concrete ceiling in a first-floor bathroom.

One of the workers sustained non-life-threatening injuries to his back and knee. He was reportedly taken to Falmouth Hospital. The other suffered a serious but non-life-threatening head injury and was flown to a hospital in Boston.

The names of the injured workers have not been released and officials from OSHA plan to investigate the scene of the accident to determine if any there were any health or safety violations.

Source: Camp Edwards ceiling collapse injures two, Cape Cod Times, February 18, 2010

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On Sunday morning, a power plant under construction exploded into flames, killing at least five workers in Middletown. Officials are unsure of what caused the explosion, but it occurred around 11:17am while workers were testing the plant's connection to a natural gas pipeline.

The mayor of Middletown said they were not able to determine exactly how many workers were onsite at the time of the explosion, because many of them were subcontractors. Because the construction accident occurred on a weekend, there were believed to be about 60 workers at that time.

The names of those dead were not released, because authorities still need to notify the families. This construction site explosion happened less than a week after federal regulators called for stricter safety measures during the installation and maintenance of gas pipes.

Source: At least 5 dead in power plant explosion, NewsTimes.com, February 7, 2010

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Last year, a Massachusetts construction accident injured four workers when a ladder jack scaffold gave way. Following the accident in August, 2009, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigated and discovered that the contractor had violated safety regulations. As a result, OSHA has proposed almost $55,000 in fines.

According to authorities from OSHA, the ladder jack scaffold bore too much weight and was beyond capacity. The workers also lacked protective head and eye gear, as well as training on scaffolding and fall protection. In addition, misused, damaged or inadequate extension ladders had created fall hazards.

OSHA cites employers when their unsafe work environment creates a high risk of death or injury due to lack of training or safety precautions. The company has fifteen business days from receipt of the citations to comply, contest the findings, or take part in an informal conference with OSHA's area director.

Source: OSHA fines Legacy Builders 15 violations after Boston construction accident, NewYorkInjuryNews.com, February 2, 2010

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On Tuesday, a construction accident in Massachusetts injured several people. When Lowell police responded to the emergency call, they found that bricks had fallen from the fourth floor and hit a worker who was on a scaffolding on the second floor of a redevelopment project.

The injured worker was conscious when medical crews arrived at the scene. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, but the extent of his injuries have been disclosed. A police officer, two firefighters, and an emergency medical responder suffered minor injuries at the scene of the accident. It is now known if they taken to the hospital.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) says it plans to investigate the construction accident.

Source: Four injured at Lowell construction accident site, NewYorkInjuryNews.com, January 27, 2010

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A construction accident on Tuesday morning at Purdue University's Mackey Area left a construction worker with arm injuries, cuts, and bruises after the worker fell about ten feet.

He was treated at St. Elizabeth Central Hospital, according to a university spokesperson who would not release the worker's name. The spokesperson did say the injured worker was pulling metal decking from "penthouse level" when he stepped through a hole and fell roughly 10 feet from the fourth floor to the third floor. It took an aerial truck and about 15 minutes to remove the worker.

A safety manager was reportedly on-site to examine the scene of the accident.

Source: Worker injured at Mackey work site, JCOnline.com, January 20, 2010

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A Newburyport man who was reportedly injured in a December 22 construction accident is recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital. As of last Tuesday, he was listed in fair condition.

The 48-year-old man was airlifted in critical condition following a scaffolding accident that plunged him and a coworker from the second story to the sidewalk. The two men were apparently installing fascia board trim along the edge of the roof of a house at the time of the workplace accident.

The coworker was discharged from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is recovering at home. Inspectors from the United States Occupational Health and Safety Administration are still investigating the accident.

Source: Both workers recovering after fall from scaffolding, The Daily News, January 6, 2010

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Last week, a construction worker died after being crushed by a house. The 57-year-old worker was part of a crew that was lowering the house on to a new foundation to comply with building codes, because the house was apparently too tall for its original foundation.

The house reportedly fell off its foundation and trapped the worker between two beams as it collapsed on top of him. All but one of the workers was able to escape the construction accident.

The fatal accident is under investigation by the state Department of Labor.

Sources: Worker killed in construction accident on island, SeattlePI.com, December 12, 2009

1 killed as house collapses on Guemes Island, KomoNews.com, December 12, 2009

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Earlier this month, a construction accident in Dallas, Texas injured two workers after the construction workers fell about 70 feet from the roof and ledge of the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. The men were reportedly performing maintenance on the roof when the accident occurred around 7am. Police say ice may have been a contributing factor.

Neither of the workers were safety harnesses as required by state and federal safety mandates. The workers spent nearly an hour stuck on the roof before rescue crews were able to bring them down using ladders and rappelling equipment. One worker who suffered a broken leg, chest injuries, and potential traumatic brain injury (TBI) was taken to a local trauma center. The other worker suffered back injuries and was taken to Parkland Hospital in Dallas.

The construction accident remains under investigation by police and officials from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration.

Source: 2 workers injured after fall from Dallas Cowboys Stadium roof, JusticeNewsFlash.com, December 4, 2009

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Earlier this week, two men sustained injuries after being temporarily pinned between two vehicles at a construction site in downtown San Diego. According to the city's Fire-Rescue Department, the accident was reported around 12:20pm.

Apparently the two men were perched atop the tailgate of a truck eating lunch when a car backed up, hitting the vehicle parked in front of the truck and pushing the truck into the other vehicle. Construction crews noticed the accident and worked quickly to push the vehicles apart.

The motor vehicle accident victims, ages 25 and 35 years, were found lying on the ground when rescue crews arrived at the scene. They were both taken to a local hospital and their names have not been released.

Source: Two injured in accident by construction site, SignonSanDiego.com, December 8, 2009

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Last month, a construction accident in Staten Island, New York killed a 53-year-old construction worker. He was standing behind a white Mack dump truck when it crushed him, first with the rear and then with the front tires. Police said the construction worker was out of view of either mirror.

Emergency response crews tried to revive the injured worker before taking him to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. There were no charges filed, and the police called the incident a tragic accident.

The fatal construction accident occurred before 2:30pm in the afternoon. Police closed the southbound lanes of Richmond Avenue for accident investigation.

Source: 53-year-old worker dies in New Springville construction accident, SILive.com, November 20, 2009

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Last Tuesday morning, an accident involving a gravel truck killed a 54-year-old construction worker. Police say the worker died at the scene of the construction accident after the gravel truck accidentally drove over him.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the fatal accident.

In addition to motor vehicle accidents, construction workers face a number of other hazards on the job, including crane collapses, welding accidents, on-site explosions, fires, defective construction tools, and electrical shock. These types of accidents can result in serious injuries such as brain damage, spinal cord injuries, internal injuries, and severed limbs.

Sources: Fatal accident at Enbridge oil site north of Crookston: Driver, victim identified, Crookston Daily News, November 25, 2009

One killed in construction accident north of Crookston, Osakis Review, November 25, 2009

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A construction accident at a performing arts center killed one construction worker and seriously injured another earlier this month. The fatal construction accident occurred at the site of the future Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas.

According to police, a 35-year-old worker died, and a 30-year-old worker was in serious but stable condition after the lift carrying the two tipped over. They were about 50 feet off the ground at the time fo the accident, and construction was temporarily halted following the incident.

Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are looking into what caused the lift to tip over and whether proper safety protocol was followed.

Source: Fatal construction accident at arts center is under investigation, Kansas City Star, November 11, 2009

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A New England contractor with worksites in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, was recently cited by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and faces a total of $308,500 in new proposed fines.

Two recent inspections of the company's worksites in Methuen and Plymouth uncovered numerous hazards, including untrained fork truck operators, lack of fall protection for workers at heights greater than six feet, improperly constructed and uninspected scaffolds, and a lack of fire extinguishers.

Since 2003, OSHA has cited this company eight times. This time, OSHA issued the company one willful, six repeat, and 13 serious citations. According to OSHA, a willful violation occurs when the violation is committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. A serious citation results when death or a serious accident is likely to result from safety hazards which the employer knew or should have known about.

Safety: Fall Hazards at Massachusetts Sites Net $308,500 in OSHA Fines, OHSonline.com, November 7, 2009

Continue reading "Alleged Safety Violations At Massachusetts Worksites Lead to OSHA Fines" »

On Saturday night, an accident at the construction site of a soon-to-be Texas Roadhouse killed a subcontractor. The man was working as part of the painting crew when the construction site accident occurred around 5:30pm. Authorities believe the worker fell. When rescue crews arrived at the scene of the accident, they found the unconscious worker lying at the bottom of an interior staircase.

Firefighters performed CPR on the worker as they transported him the hospital. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police have not released the name of the worker pending notification of his family.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to investigate the fatal construction accident.

Construction Worker Dies At Texas Roadhouse Site, WDIO.com, November 2, 2009

Death at Texas Roadhouse construction site, Fox21online.com, November 2, 2009

Continue reading "Worker Dies After Falling at Construction Site" »

On Friday morning, a construction worker suffered multiple fractures to both legs when a steamroller ran over his legs. The construction accident occurred around 3:30am when the worker was measuring part of the roadway.

Following the steamroller accident, the worker was taken to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he underwent a lengthy surgical procedure.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said he was listed in critical condition as of late Friday afternoon. The injured worker's age and hometown were not released to the media.

Steamroller accident on I-287 in Edison leaves worker critically hurt, MyCentralJersey.com, October 30, 2009

Continue reading "Construction Worker Seriously Injured in Steamroller Accident " »

On Sunday evening, a construction worker was killed on Interstate 215 in Utah. Troopers say the worker was walking in a construction zone when a truck drifted into a barreled off construction area and hit the worker. According to police, the truck was traveling at more than 40 miles per hour when it hit and killed the worker from behind.

The truck continued south after hitting the 20-year-old construction worker and police have not located the driver or the vehicle, which they describe as a blue and white pickup. Troopers say the truck may have significant damage from the accident.

Following the construction accident, traffic was backed up for several hours Sunday evening.

Construction worker killed in hit-and-run accident, ABC4.com, October 26, 2009

Construction worker killed in hit-and-run on I-215, The Salt Lake Tribune, October 26, 2009

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Last Tuesday, an explosion at a biodiesel plant injured a worker. The local fire department responded to the scene of the workplace accident after a reactor reportedly exploded. The fire sprinkler system at the plant extinguished most of the flames, and firefighters managed to contain a few remaining hot spots.

A worker suffered a broken leg and was taken by emergency medical services (EMS) crews to a local hospital. No other workers were injured.

Authorities have not stated what prompted the explosion or what the worker was doing when he was injured. However, investigators from the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration will conduct a full investigation of the workplace accident.

Explosion at biodiesel plant broke workers leg, JusticeNewsFlash.com, October 15, 2009

Continue reading "Worker's Leg Broken After Explosion at Biodiesel Plant" »

On Monday, a crane accident in Philadelphia's Center City resulted in the death of the crane operator and injuries to at least three others. According to reports on the radio, the operator fell 125 feet when the crane toppled over at about 1:30pm, hitting a building containing a florist shop and apartments. The 40-year-old operator was declared dead soon after the construction accident.

Among those injured were a 70-year-old woman in a nearby car who was hit by either the crane or debris and was in stable condition at Hahnemann Hospital. Two others in the area were injured by falling debris.

Officials from the Department of Licenses and Inspection were investigating the scene of the fatal accident to determine whether residents could safely return to their apartments.

Report: Crane topples in Center City Philadelphia, killing operator, Philadelphia Business Journal, October 12, 2009

Continue reading "Toppled Crane Kills Operator, Injures Three" »

Last Friday morning, a construction superintendent died in an accident. Emergency responders were paged at about 10am after a man was reportedly electrocuted. Brady Meier was overseeing the base area construction project and was pronounced dead at 12:45am at Yampa Valley Medical center.

Authorities said they are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death, but they believe Meier might have been struck with a fitting from a pressurized water line. The owner of Duckels Construction said Meier was trying to turn on a water valve inside a utility vault when a compression on another water line blew off and hit him. Meier had worked for the company for two years prior to the construction accident.

Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration plan to investigate the fatal accident.

Brady Meier died Friday after construction site accident, Steamboat Pilot & Today, October 10

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A 50-year-old construction worker from Plymouth was seriously injured on Wednesday morning after falling from a 25-foot-high scaffold. The scaffold accident occurred at a waterfront construction site in Cohasset, Massachusetts, where three workers were installing siding to restore several buildings.

An emergency call came in at 11:23am and the injured foreman was airlifted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he was in critical condition according to police. He reportedly suffered severe head injuries.

The construction accident is being investigated by an inspector from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration to determine if proper fall-protection equipment was used. According to a spokesman for OSHA, work being performed at more than 6 feet generally requires guardrails or the wearing of safety harnesses.

Plymouth laborer injured in fall at Cohasset construction site, The Patriot Ledger, October 1, 2009

Continue reading "Worker Suffers Severe Head Trauma in Cohasset Construction Accident" »

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited a Falmouth, Massachusetts construction contractor for alleged willful and serious violations of safety standards after an excavation accident in Kingston. Employees were working in a 5.5-foot-deep excavation when one of the sidewalls collapses, partially burying an employee. OSHA requires that all excavations deeper than 5 feet between protected against collapses before workers enter them.

OSHA inspectors found that the excavation lacked protection to prevent a collapse. The asphalt also had not been removed or supported to prevent it from falling on workers. Fortunately, none of the workers were killed in the accident.

Following its inspection, OSHA issued one willful citations with a $63,000 proposed fine for the unprotected excavation. It also issued one serious citations with a $6,300 fine for not supporting or removing the asphalt atop the excavation. The company has 15 days to comply, meet with OSHA, or contest the finding before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Cave-in at Construction Site Leads to Nearly $70,000 Fine for Contractor, OHSonline.com, September 25, 2009

Continue reading "Falmouth Company Cited After Excavation Accident " »

On Wednesday, a construction worker in Missouri died of injuries sustained on the job. His name and the name of his company have not been released to the public. The construction accident occurred around 11:30am near Excelsior Springs in Clay County.

According to authorities, the construction accident victim was working for a contractor or subcontractor on a $376,000 county project building a new bridge over the creek. The area's roadway was closed for construction, and the accident involved a piece of construction equipment. The Missouri Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal accident.

Work on the project was suspended for several days to allow the victim's co-workers to grieve.

Worker dies from injuries in construction accident, KansasCity.com, September 16, 2009

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Last week, a construction accident in Howell Township, Michigan killed a 61-year-old worker.

A 3,500-pound panel was being unloaded from a truck last Wednesday morning when it fell on the truck driver and crushed him. He had been hauling concrete slabs for a construction project and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The fatal accident occurred around 7:50am when the panel fell off a tractor trailer.

State and country officials, as well as authorities from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, are investigating the construction accident.

Man crushed by concrete in Howell Township, Detroit Free Press, September 10, 2009

Ohio man killed by concrete slab at Mich. worksite, Chicago Tribune, September 9, 2009

Continue reading "Fallen Concrete Slab Kills Truck Driver " »

Last week, a Massachusetts man sustained fatal injuries in an electrical accident while working on renovations to a supermarket in Stow. Police have not released the name of the 33-year-old electrical subcontractor, who is from Athol. He was not an employee of Shaw's Supermarket, which is based in West Bridgewater.

Police and fire departments were called to the scene of the construction accident at 2:50pm on Tuesday, September 1. The accident victim was taken to Emerson Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to a spokesperson, Shaw's is working with authorities and conducting an internal investigation of the construction accident. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration is also investigating to see if there any safety violations.

Accident kills worker at Stow supermarket construction site, WickedLocal.com, September 8, 2009

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Last Monday, a police officer from Weymouth, Massachusetts was hit and killed by a pick-up truck while he worked a construction detail. The 34-year-old husband and father of three served in Iraq before returning to his hometown and joining the police force.

Hundreds of people gathered at Saint Francis Xavier Church in Weymouth to mourn the loss of the fallen police officer. Rows of police officers mourned their colleague who died of injuries sustained on the job. Following the mass, Officer Davy was buried at Fairmont Cemetery.

The 79-year-old driver who reportedly caused the car accident after running a stop sign has been cited for motor vehicle homicide.

Mourners pay respects to Officer Davey, NECN.com, August 29, 2009

Continue reading "Weymouth Officer Hit and Killed While on Construction Detail " »

On Tuesday, a worker died when the cable of a hydraulic boom snapped, pinning him against the vehicle. William Barnes, 48, was operating the hydraulic boom on Throgs Neck Bridge in New York. He was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. According to authorities, the electrical worker did have a commercial driver's license, which was required to operate the equipment.

The original emergency call, around 10:25am said the worker had fallen, but later reports stated that he had been pinned against the vehicle. Lanes on the bridge were temporarily shut down for emergency rescue workers, and the contract employees directly involved in the construction accident have been removed from the project.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the bridge accident.

Electrical Worker Killed by Crane Boom on Throgs Neck Bridge, New York Times, August 25, 2009

Continue reading "Bridge Accident Kills Electrical Worker " »

As of Thursday, two of the workers who survived a construction accident last week were still in the hospital. Jessis Dominguez was listed in fair condition, and Maria Lima was listed in serious condition and was still in the intensive care unit.

The workers were building a steel bridge pylon frame at the state Route 75 bridge replacement project last Wednesday when the structure broke, plunging three construction workers in the South Fork of the Holston River. The other worker, Frangel Garcia, died at the scene of the accident. Rescue divers discovered his body near the collapsed column roughly an hour after the incident. The company's compliance officer said all three were using safety equipment.

According to the findings from an initial investigation, the steel frame collapsed after a cable snapped. The Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the fatal accident.

Construction Accident Survivors Remain Hospitalized, TriCities.com, August 24, 2009

Continue reading "Bridge Collapse Kills One Worker, Injures Two Others" »

On Tuesday, a construction worker died after the front-end loader he was driving fell seven stories. Carlos Maryorga, 35, was pinned inside the Bobcat and rescue crews had to extricate him.

The construction accident occurred at a construction work site on Chicago's Near South Side around 9:40am. The work was part of a $3.1 million demolition project, which was scheduled to be completed in December. The construction accident victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:08am.

Police and detectives are investigating the fatal construction accident but not as a criminal case.

Construction worker killed in seven-story fall on Near South Side, Chicago Sun-Times, August 18, 2009

Man Dies After Construction Accident, CBS2Chicago.com, August 18, 2009

Continue reading "Construction Worker Dies After Falling Seven Stories " »

A subcontractor in Holly Springs, North Carolina was working on the electrical system at the Utley Wastewater Treatment Plant when he was shocked and knocked unconscious. The electrical accident occurred just before 11am.

A town employee reportedly administrated CPR after the worker, age 34, stopped breathing and appeared to have no pulse. The injured worker is apparently an employee of Via Electric Co., but his name had not been released as of late Thursday afternoon. Paramedics were able to revive the injured worker before taking him to WakeMed.

The man was later flown to the Jaycee Burn Center at UNC Hospitals where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

Worker is critically hurt at sewage plant, NewsObserver.com, August 14, 2009

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Last Wednesday, two workers in Boston's Financial District clung to a safety line in panic for 20 minutes after the engine let go of a window-washing platform 37 stories above the street. According to one official, who spoke to the Boston Globe on condition of anonymity, officials believe the scaffolding accident was a freak accident rather than human error.

Massachusetts does not regulate window-washing scaffolding, which means that enforcement of safety regulations may have fallen into a void between state and federal authorities. The state inspects elevators and other hoisting equipment but it does not certify scaffolding. Firefighters broke the glass of the Exchange Place tower and rescued the two traumatized workers.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the scaffolding accident.

Questions raised on scaffold regulation, Boston Globe, August 7, 2009

Continue reading "Massachusetts Scaffolding Accident Serves as a Reminder of Safety " »

In Springfield, Massachusetts, construction crews laying a fiber optic cable along I-91 reportedly severed an underground electrical line, causing a power outage that impacted almost a fifth of the city at its peak.

The accident occurred around 1pm last Thursday. According to Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECO) officials, service would be restored to most customers by 6pm.

Twenty-four hours later, thousands of residents were still without power. WMECO placed automated calls to its customers on Friday afternoon asking them to conserve power and report any new outages. As a result of the accident, traffic lights were out, and businesses were forced to close.

Damaged line cuts out power in Springfield, MassLive.com, July 31, 2009

24 Hours On, Power Still Out for Thousands, CBS3Springfield.com, July 31, 2009

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According to a recent editorial on Impre.com, deaths of Hispanic workers have increased 76% since 1992 despite the fact that the overall workplace death rate has decreased.

Latinos are becoming a larger segment of the United States workforce, but they also represent a disproportionate number of deaths. Five out of every 100,000 Hispanics die at work. For Caucasians, that number is 4.0 and for African-Americans, 3.7.

Latino immigrants also have 70% more fatal workplace accidents than non-immigrant Latinos, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Researchers attribute this statistic to possible language and cultural barriers, as well as a lack of training and supervision.

Another factor is that undocumented immigrants tend to work in construction, which has a higher accident rate than other industries, and tend not to report unsafe conditions because they fear the repercussions.

Death in the workplace, Impre.com, July 21, 2009

Continue reading "Hispanic Worker Deaths Up 76% Since 1992" »

Last week in Boston, cement trim fell five stories from the roof on a Northeastern University dorm building that was being replaced as part of summer maintenance. The collapse occurred around 8:30am and the site's foreman and a police officer immediately began searching the rubble for any injured persons. Miraculously, there were no injuries or casualties in this apparent construction accident.

Officials at Northeastern University said they planned to relocate approximately 60 students who were living in the building for the summer, even though Boston structural engineers deemed the building sound. City officials closed a portion of Huntington Avenue for part of the day as a precaution. The E Line was also shut down for approximately three hours so that passing trains would not shake the building.

A spokesman for the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration said they are already investigating the scene of the accident to see if any safety regulations were violated.

Cement trim falls from NU dorm roof, Boston Globe, July 14, 2009

Continue reading "No Injuries in Boston Construction Accident at Northeastern University" »

Following an investigation into a Boston construction accident that killed a worker and seriously injured another last February, federal investigators from OHSA have cited a Framingham roofing company for six alleged safety violations. Reliable Roofing and Sheet Metal, LLC has 15 days to contest the penalties or it must pay $31,000 in proposed fines, according to the Associated Press.

The accident occurred on February 7, when a bucket lift carrying James Williamson of Hingham toppled from its full extension of 110 feet. Williamson was thrown into a condo building later died at Massachusetts General Hospital. He was inspecting the roof of a dorm building at Suffolk University in Boston's Downtown Crossing.

Greg Johnson was seriously injured but survived the construction accident after leaping from the bucket to a terrace a few stories down. The company did not immediately respond to an Associated Press reporter's request for comment.

Roofing company cited in fatal February accident, Boston Herald, July 14, 2009

Continue reading "OSHA Cites Massachusetts Roofing Company in Fatal Accident" »

In Framingham last week, a construction accident injured a 47-year-old man. The injured construction worker, who was not identified by name, was transported to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester via ambulance after his right arm was crushed.

Framingham's Assistant Fire Chief said a piece of construction material fell from a flatbed truck, causing an "open crushing wound" to the worker's right forearm. That truck was owned by Baron Industries, according to the assistant fire chief. He did not have information on the worker's employer.

Representatives from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were reportedly called to the scene of the construction accident to investigate.

Worker's arm crushed in Framingham construction accident, MetroWest Daily News, July 10, 2009

Continue reading "Framingham Construction Accident Crushes Worker's Arm" »

Earlier today, a construction accident in Kansas City's West Bottoms killed a worker. The crew was trying to adjust scaffolding when one of the metal attachment used to hold the scaffolding together reportedly came apart and fell five stories, striking the worker in the head. The fatal accident occurred around 10am.

According to a police report, the workers yelled to the men on the ground to get out of the way and one man was not able to move in time. Police said the scaffolding accident victim was not wearing a hard hat when he hit in the head.

The accident is being investigated by police and officials from OSHA.

Worker Killed In Construction Accident, KCTV5.com, July 8, 2009

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Last week, a construction accident on Maryland's I-70 entrance ramp left a construction worker with severe leg injuries. John D. Evans' leg was crushed by a milling machine after he reportedly tripped and fell in front of the machine.

According to police, the operator of the milling machine apparently did not see Evans fall and ran over his leg, which was crushed below the knee. The construction worker was flown Shock Trauma where he was in serious but stable condition as of last week. The ramp from 30 Eastbound to Interstate 70 Eastbound was closed following the machinery accident, but it has since reopened.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is now investigating the construction accident.

Man's Leg Crushed in Highway Construction Accident, Your4State.com, June 30, 2009

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A recent article in the New York Times highlights the importance in seeking compensation following an accident or injury sustained on the job, even if the injured worker fears deportation. In the past month, three illegal immigrants injured in construction accidents in New York were awarded settlements totaling $3.85 million, reports the Times.

One workers' compensation lawyer who represented the workers pointed out that their immigration status is irrelevant to their injuries and does not mitigate their right to seek redress. The worker receiving the largest settlement of the three was a Mexican plumber who was scalded in an accident involving an exploding pipe in 2004. The worker settled hi damage claim for $2.5 million.

Another worker, a 52-year-old Mexican worker, received $750,000 after a steel beam fell on his foot in 2004. And a 36-year-old Ecuadorean worker settled for $600,000 after sustaining a fractured hip and other injuries when three 200-pound tresses collapsed on him. These cases should serve as a reminder to other undocumented workers that they do not need to suffer abusive employment practices in silence.

Payments for Injuries to Workers Here Illegally, New York Times, June 17, 2009

Continue reading "Illegal Workers Still Entitled to Workers' Compensation" »

Earlier this week, we blogged about a near collision between a truck and aircraft at Boston's Logan Airport. On Tuesday morning, a serious accident at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas injured five construction workers. The workplace accident occurred when a rebar cage collapsed as they were building it, trapping the workers insider.

Another worker reportedly sprang into action, preventing a 30,000-pound rebar cage from crushing the five injured workers. All five workers were removed from the rebar cage and taken to the hospital. Two of the workers have already been released from the hospital, and the other three are listed in stable condition. In February, a paving company employee died, casting shadows over the $2.4 billion terminal project.

Construction resumed following the accident, and the incident remains under investigation by the Department of Aviation and OSHA.

5 hurt in Las Vegas airport construction accident, Associated Press, June 23, 2009

Unknown Man Saves 5 McCarran Airport Workers, Fox5Vegas.com, June 23, 2009

Continue reading "Airport Accident Seriously Injures Five Workers " »

Last week, a construction accident claimed the life of a subcontractor who was doing HVAC work for a Wal-Mart Supercenter. The 54-year-old worker was applying sealant to a ceiling duct when he apparently fell off the ladder, hitting his head on the concrete floor. There were no witnesses to the fatal accident; however, another worker found the victim lying on the floor bleeding from the head.

Following the accident, the subcontractor was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An EMS crew reportedly told police he had suffered a severe brain bleed.

Falling from a ladder is just one of the possible hazards that workers face. Other risks include on-site explosions, fires, welding accidents, electrical shock accidents, and motor vehicle accidents. These can result in death or serious, life-altering injuries.

Fatal Construction Accident at North Springfield Walmart, KSPR.com, June 4, 2009

Continue reading "Construction Accident Kills 54-year-old Worker" »

Last Thursday, the owner of a construction company was crushed and killed when a large metal silo collapsed on top of him. Ron Samford, 50, was tearing down the silo with two of his employees, according to the county sheriff's chief.

The company was hired to demolish a facility that had produced lime. The facility had been inactive for at least 15 years and had several 100,000 pound metal silos.

According to Tooele County deputy Duke North, "They were just using torches and cutting the metal and the bracing down and they had just completed their cutting and were moving out of the way when it just came down on them."

The business owner died around 1:30pm. Three hours later, rescue crews were still working to lift the silo off of him. Another worker sustained minor injuries in the industrial accident but did not require a trip to the hospital, and the third worker was not injured.

Construction Business Owner Killed in Industrial Accident, Fox13Now.com, May 28, 2009

Business owner crushed to death by silo, Salt Lake Tribune, May 28, 2009

Continue reading "Industrial Accident Kills Construction Business Owner " »

In Peabody, Massachusetts, a transfer machine crushed the legs of a worker who was part of a highway repaving project on Route 128 south. According to Phil Jodoin, the resident engineer for MassHighway who was on the scene to oversee the project, the construction accident occurred at 10:30 on Monday evening when the worker was run over by a machine that transfers asphalt dumped by trucks into a paving machine that puts it on the road.

Work stopped temporarily while the work crew waited for a safety officer from the Dracut-based heavy construction company to arrive at the scene of the machinery accident, along with a representative from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The injured worker was not identified, but the Peabody Deputy fire Chief told the media he was taken by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Machine crushes worker's legs, Salem News, May 27, 2009

Continue reading "Peabody Machinery Accident Crushes Worker's Leg" »

In April, an electrical worker was involved in a rooftop accident at Melrose's Oak Grove Village. Police received a 911 call around 11:20am on Tuesday, April 14 reporting a possibly electrocution. Chad O'Clair, the twentysomething worker who was hit with 220 volts, was taken by ambulance to Massachusetts General Hospital for tests.

O'Clair is a resident of North Reading and an employee of the North Reading-based Electrical Dynamics Inc. Fortunately, O'Clair did not lose consciousness and was released from Massachusetts General Hospital later that day.

The construction company responsible for the project says that the cause of the electrical accident remains under investigation.

According to a representative, We’re obviously doing an internal investigation and I believe that OSHA [Occupational Health and Safety Administration] is now at the site and our folks are reviewing it [the accident] with them."

Melrose injured electrical worker, rescued from rooftop earlier today, now released from hospital, WickedLocal.com, April 14, 2009

Continue reading "Electrical Worker Survives Accident in Melrose" »

On Friday, a construction worker died after walking into the path of a tractor-trailer. Police say the semi driver was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol nor was he driving over the speed limit. The impact of the semi forced the worker into the air, and he died before rescuers arrived at the scene of the construction site accident.

The 36-year-old worker was part of a concrete crew working near mile market 135 on Interstate 75 in Florida. No charges will be filed in the highway construction accident, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will inspect the worksite.

Construction workers are often exposed to dangerous conditions on the job, including heavy equipment or hazardous substances. The Bureau of Labor reports over five thousand workers died from construction accidents in 2006.

Florida Highway Construction Worked Killed in Accident, ClaimsJournal.com, April 6, 2009

Continue reading "Accident Kills Highway Construction Worker" »

Last week, the Massachusetts attorney general’s office announced that it has reached two more settlements in the 2006 Big Dig accident that killed a Jamaica Plain woman. The state settled with Gannet Fleming Inc. and Sika Corporation. According to officials, these settlements mark the end of the state’s legal proceedings against companies involved in the Big Dig construction project.

Attorney General Martha Coakley said the resolutions held the companies accountable and ensured that similar accidents will be prevented in the future, while providing the state with funds to maintain transportation infrastructure.

Gannett Fleming designed the section of the tunnel ceiling that collapsed and agreed to pay a total of $1.575 million to the city of Boston and to the state, forgoing $150,000 in payments to the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Sika Corporation made the blue used in the ceiling and agreed to $200,000 to the state.

During the course of this legal campaign, the state received $610.6 million in recoveries for the Big Dig ceiling collapse and for other problems such as adulterated cement and design flaws.

AG settles with final two firms in fatal collapse of Big Dig tunnel, Boston Globe, March 27, 2009

Continue reading "Massachusetts Attorney General Settles with Last Two Firms in Fatal Big Dig Accident" »

According to fire officials, a construction site accident in Oklahoma City resulted in a gas leak on Tuesday. Construction crews were working to widen a road when they hit a 6-inch, medium-pressure gasline between 1 and 1:30pm. Gas spewing from the pipeline forced road closures, but police did not have to evacuate.

Fire officials stated that homes and business in the nearby area were not impacted by the shutdown.

In addition to gas leaks, construction workers face other hazards such as electrical shock accidents, fires, welding accidents, truck accidents, falls, crane accidents, and other dangers. According to the Bureau of Labor, over 5,000 construction workers were killed in construction accidents, while others suffered major injuries such as severed limbs or internal injuries.

Construction Accident Results In Gas Leak, Koco.com, March 24, 2009

Continue reading "Construction Accident Causes Gas Leak" »

Earlier this week, a driver veered off the road and hit four construction workers. One was listed in critical condition and another was seriously injured. The construction worksite accident occurred around 9pm on Tuesday night when the driver of a white Camara drove through the orange cones and hit a group of workers.

The driver responsible for the accident is in fair condition and reportedly in police custody. The driver’s vehicle sustained severe front end damage and was towed away. At this time it is not known if drugs or alcohol have may played a role in the car crash.

The identities of the injured construction workers and the driver have not been released. Police reopened the roadway two hours after investigating the crash and construction resumed as normal.

Four Construction Workers Hurt By Driver, WOKV, March 4, 2009

4 construction workers hit by car; no fatalities, Associated Press, March 4, 2009

Continue reading "Driver Injures Four Construction Workers" »

On Tuesday, a construction worker was injured after a crane lowering a concrete wall into place shifted and the wall fell onto the man’s legs. The other workers were able to free the injured worker before firefighters arrived at the scene of the accident. The 23-year-old construction accident victim was taken to a local hospital and is expected to survive.

Construction workers face a number of hazards on the job. In addition to crane accidents, they might also be at risk for on-site explosions, falls, fires, welding accidents, excavation accidents, and machinery accidents. Such hazards can result in permanent physical, emotional, and psychological damage, which can make it difficult for the victim to return to work.

Worker Hurt In Bellevue Construction Accident, KIROTV.com, February 24, 2009

Construction worker injured in Bellevue, Seattle PI, February 24, 2009

Continue reading "Construction Worker Injured in Accident, Condition Unknown" »

Last week, a construction accident seriously injured a worker when a crane lowering the worker into a well hit an electrical wire. The construction accident occurred around 8:45am and the worker was flown by helicopter to a local hospital, where his condition is unknown.

The local power company had to deactivate power lines where the worker was being extricated, causing blackout conditions for approximately 3,300 businesses and homes in the area. Several traffic lights also lost power. Power was restored around 9:15am.

A second worker was standing in the hole underneath at the time of the construction accident. Fortunately, the worker was not touching the worker on the pipe or the pipe itself, so that worker was not injured and did not require medical treatment. Police have not released the name of the injured worker.

Palm Beach Gardens construction accident shocks, injures worker, February 19, 2009, PalmBeachPost.com

Construction worker shocked in Palm Beach Gardens, February 19, 2009, WPTV.com

Continue reading "Construction Accident Leaves Worker Seriously Injured" »

On Friday, a construction worker was killed after falling approximately 35 feet from the platform of an extended forklift near the site of a home under construction. The forklift accident occurred around 1:30pm, and the victim has been identified as 46-year-old James Shanks, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Another worker, 43-year-old Jay Smith, was injured and taken to the hospital by ambulance. His medical status was unknown. A representative from the sheriff’s office said that four workers were applying stucco to the chimney of the house and standing on an elevated platform. Other workers said they heard a popping sound as the forklift threw two of the men off.

In addition to forklift accidents, construction workers may also be at risk for fires, explosions, welding accidents, exposure to hazardous substances, and many more hazards on the job.

Construction accident victims identified, Coastal Courier, February 16, 2009

Continue reading "Forklift Accident Kills Construction Worker, Injures Another" »

At a natural gas equipment yard, a construction worker for Elcorn Construction was using a forklift when the heavy machine ran over his leg. Fire crews responded to the forklift accident and flew the construction worker to St. Mary’s Hospital.

According to the fire chief, the worker’s injuries were not life-threatening. His condition was unknown.

Construction sites are often fraught with potential safety hazards including heavy equipment, fires, on-site explosions, exposure to hazardous materials, welding accidents, and more.

According to the Bureau of Labor, more than 5,000 construction workers died in construction accidents in 2006, but many more sustained serious injuries. Many of these injured workers lose their ability to work because of permanently debilitating injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, severed limbs, and spinal cord injuries.

For this reason, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires companies to follow safety precautions to prevent workers’ exposure to hazardous conditions.

Construction accident sends 1 to hospital, KJCT8.com, January 21, 2009

Continue reading "Construction Worker Sustains Leg Injury in Forklift Accident" »

A construction accident occurred recently in Maitland, Florida when three men who were doing concrete work lost their footing after the scaffolding came loose from the building. The workers were left dangling in the air six stories above the ground while emergency rescue crews worked to help them down.

Fortunately, none of the construction workers were injured, though they were a bit shaken up by the incident. Two of the men refused medical treatment, while the crane operator was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

The cause of the construction accident is under investigation.

Three workers safe after Maitland construction site accident, Orlando Sun-Sentinel, December 8, 2008

Continue reading "Three Construction Workers Survive Scaffolding Accident " »

Design News reports that Massachusetts has dropped criminal charges against a company that had been found criminally negligent in the Big Dig ceiling collapse that killed a 39-year-old woman. The now infamous accident occurred in Boston on July 10, 2006.

After a federal investigation found that its “Fast Set” epoxy was used incorrectly to attach bolts in the ceiling of one of the tunnels in the Big Dig construction project, Powers Fasteners agreed to pay $16 million and remove the product from the market.

This agreement negates the involuntary manslaughter charges (carrying a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine) resulting from the construction accident. According to a news conference with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley, “what we have been able to achieve today is a far greater result [than the original charges].”

Massachusetts Drops Criminal Charges against Powers Fasteners, Design News, December 18, 2008

Continue reading "Massachusetts Drops Charges Against Epoxy Company " »

Earlier this month, a construction worker in an underground excavation pit was seriously injured when he became partially buried by falling concrete. The construction accident occurred around 4:20am on Thursday, December 11.

The unidentified worker was buried from the waist down inside a 25-foot deep pit. Emergency medical personnel responded to the call to treat the construction accident victim. He was pulled from the hole approximately 15 minutes later and taken to the hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.

Three other workers suffered minor injuries as a result of the underground accident.

N.Y. Times Square construction worker escapes death from falling debris, JusticeNewsFlash.com, December 15, 2008

Continue reading "Construction Workers Injured by Falling Debris " »

Last Friday afternoon, a scaffolding collapse injured two workers in what could have been a much more serious accident, according to a veteran firefighter responding to the construction accident.

Construction workers were repairing the façade of the Kravis Center for the Performing Art, which was damaged during Hurricane Francis in 2004. The fire rescue captain said the anchors attaching the scaffolding to the wall way around 1pm last Friday afternoon. Close to two dozen construction workers were in the vicinity when the seven levels scaffolding came tumbling down, which could have resulted in major injuries.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries, though two workers sustained minor injuries. OSHA will investigate the construction accident.

OSHA Investigates Kravis Construction Accident, CBS12.com, December 12, 2008

Continue reading "OSHA Investigating Construction Accident at Arts Center" »

On last Friday afternoon, a man was tragically killed in a construction accident. L.B. Ellis, 62, was working on private land near the Kentucky Splash Water Park when he got out of his dump truck and his friend and business partner accidently struck him with the turret of the excavator he was operating. Ellis became caught between the two machines and died as a result.

The coroner says that no charges will be filed in this construction accident death.

“It was just a sheer accident,” according to Andy Croley, Whitley County Coroner. “Unfortunately, when you work around machinery like that, you really can't hear if there is a warning. When you have both machines on, (there's) the noise of the dump truck and the noise of the excavator working."

Williamsburg man dies in construction accident, Kentucky.com, November 29, 2008

Williamsburg man killed in excavator accident, The Times-Tribune, November 28, 2008

Continue reading "Man Dies After Being Crushed in an Excavator Accident" »

A pipeline construction accident left a construction worker seriously injured after the worker’s clothing became tangled in a road boring machine, causing him to be pulled into the machine or into the hole.

Jeremy Morris, 30, was transported from the scene of the construction accident to LSU hospital. The Laney Directional Drilling Co. worker suffered extensive internal and external injuries and was listed in critical condition.

This marked the second accident in the area in as many weeks. The earlier accident resulted in the death of a worker whose clothing was caught in a piece of machinery on a drilling rig. That worker died at the scene of the drilling rig accident.

Simsboro man seriously injured in pipeline construction accident, Shreveport Times, November 18, 2008

Continue reading "Pipeline Construction Accident Seriously Injures Worker " »

This morning around 10:30am, a construction worker was taken to the hospital via airlift following a construction accident near the intersection of US 29 and Calohan Road. According to the county sheriff’s office, an overturned crane at a Bojangles restaurant injured the worker. The injured worker’s name and condition were not released to the press.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over five thousand construction workers were killed in construction accidents in 2006, while many more sustained serious injuries. Construction site hazards include explosions, crane collapses, fires, electrical shock, and excavation accidents, which may result in internal injuries, disfigurement, or severed limbs.

Worker taken to hospital after construction accident, NewsAdvance.com, November 24, 2008

Continue reading "Worker Injured by Overturned Crane" »

Last Thursday, a North Andover Department of Public Works worker was injured. The explosion is under investigation; however, it is believed that the explosion may have been caused by fumes from a cutting torch.

Kenneth Wedge, 59, was using the acetylene torch to remove the top of a barrel. It exploded and surged 20 feet into the air, throwing Wedge about 5 feet. Wedge’s pants caught fire after the explosion, but he was able to snub out the flames by rolling on the ground. The accident victim endured second-degree burns and a broken right arm, but no internal injuries were found.

As a result of the accident, the DPW will institute new worker training to prevent future explosions and OSHA’s industrial accident division will examine reports and police photographs from the accident.

DPW explosion under investigation, WickedLocal.com November 19, 2008

Continue reading "North Andover Explosion Under Investigation " »

A Dracut, Massachusetts construction company has been fined $14,700 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following the death of a construction worker on June 3. Robert Augeri, 31, a worker employed by Brox Industries was working on an overnight highway paving project on Interstate 495 when he was killed by a Mack drump truck. It was the first fatal accident in a Massachusetts Highway Department construction zone in more than a decade.

According to regional director for public affairs with the US Department of Labor, OSHA is still investigating the company that owned the dump truck. It has six months from the time of the construction accident to conclude its investigation.

Brox was cited for three different safety violations: not properly training each employee on how to avoid unsafe conditions, not adequately illuminating the work areas, and not developing safety programs for directing trucks in areas where workers are on foot. OSHA considers these violations to be serious, according to the citation.

OSHA fines company in worker's death on I-495, The Eagle-Tribune, November 1, 2008

Continue reading "OSHA Fines Massachusetts Construction Company" »

A service technician who was working on a new high school wing suffered electrical burns as the result of a construction-related accident. Paramedics arrived at the school where the accident occurred around 8:35 am. The accident victim was alert and able to answer questions when they arrived. He had sustained injuries to his left arm.

Officials say the technician was working on a boiler trying to put it into temporary service. The boiler was not in use at the time of the accident, and the man was working alone. He is an employee of a mechanical contracting firm based in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

The severity of his injuries is unknown but authorities say that they range between first and third degree burns. The construction accident victim’s name has not been released.

Worker burned in RB construction accident, RBLandmark.com, October 28, 2008

Continue reading "Worker Suffers Burns from Construction Accident" »

Last Friday around 3pm, the fire department responded after reports of a collapsed structure at a construction site on Hawaii’s North Shore near Chun’s Reef.

Initially, the firefighters had expected to free a trapped person, but when they arrived at the scene of the accident, they discovered that the victim, a man in his 60s, was already freed.

He was treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital.

"The initial report was there was a person that had been trapped by some collapse during a building construction project of a residential nature," said a fire department representative. "But before we even got there he was freed — how, I don't know. But we assessed that no other companies were needed."

Minor injury from North Shore construction accident, Honolulu Advertiser, October 24, 2008

Continue reading "North Shore Construction Accident Injures Man" »

Earlier this fall just, a crane fell on a new middle school under construction in Rhode Island. The crane operator was warming up the machine when the boom fell onto exposed steel beams.

Fortunately, no one else was in the structure and none of the construction workers were injured. In the weeks preceding this incident, the United States experienced several crane accidents that left nine construction workers dead. In response to those accident, New York City’s Buildings Department had just issued guidelines on crane safety.

According to a spokesperson from the school construction site, the 290,000 square-foot project is big enough that crews can continue working on other parts of the building while the damaged steel beams are replaced.

On the Monday following the construction accident, investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration visited the job site.

Crane Falls on Rhode Island School under Construction, InsuranceJournal.com, October 2, 2008

Another crane topples on US building site, Building.co.uk, October 2, 2008

Continue reading "Crane Falls on New England Construction Site" »

In Westford, Massachusetts, a quarry worker died on the job after a giant metal plate pinned him underneath. The metal had been dropped by an excavator.

Manuel Neves, 62, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was using a machine that recycled large concrete blocks when the Massachusetts quarry accident occurred.

Neves was working for Boston Power and Crushing. He died from injuries sustained in the accident. Federal safety inspectors were called in to investigate the accident.

Pawtucket man killed in quarry accident, Eyewitnessnewstv.com, October 10, 2008

Metal Plate Crushes Westford Worker To Death, WBZTV.com, October 3, 2008

Continue reading "Westford Quarry Accident Kills Worker " »

Police are withholding the name of a fatally injured construction worker until they are able to notify his family. The 48-year old died last Monday because of a construction site accident at Mesilla Valley Mall in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Police said the man was working on the roof of the building when he fell about 30 feet. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Officials from the Occupation Safety and Health Administration arrived at the scene of the construction accident to conduct an investigation.

Unfortunately, this is not the first industrial accident in the area to result in fatalities in the past year. Last December, a 22-year-old was killed after getting caught in a drilling rig’s auger. Another worker, 49, was killed last November while trying to clear a paper jam in a city-owned paper baler.

Construction worker falls to his death at mall, Las Cruces Sun-News, September 23, 2008

Continue reading "Construction Worker Falls 30 Feet to His Death" »

The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, Massachusetts reported on a Windham police officer who was recently injured on the job while directing traffic on Route 111. The incident occurred last Thursday while police Officer Bryan Smith was at a construction project at the corner of Range Road and Route 111.

Smith was struck in the back by the driver’s side mirror of a pick-up truck driven by Paul Norton, 45, of Manchester. Smith sustained back injuries and was transported to Parkland Medical Center.

This is the second time an officer has been hit by a car this summer in almost the same spot on this same construction project. In June, Officer Greg Malisos was hit by a sport utility vehicle which knocked him into a 4-foot ditch.

In the summer of 2007, Derry police Officer Robert Moore was seriously injured by a pickup truck. Moore was directing traffic on Route 28. The driver who struck him was charged with DWI.

Windham police officer struck while working Route 111 detail, The Eagle Tribune, September 12, 2008

Continue reading "Police Officer Hit by Car While on the Job " »

Two steel-and-concrete beams intended as part of the Route 1A bridge reconstruction failed a Massachusetts state safety inspection last week, resulting in a delay in installation.

One of the 120-foot-long beams was damaged during an accident and another sustained damage during loading. Both beams will need to be remanufactured, which Adam Hurtubise of MassHighway said will set back their installation about three weeks.

However, MassHighway says that with time built into the schedule for contingencies, the completion date should remain the same. They estimate that the bridge may reopen as soon as the spring of 2009. S & R Corp., of Lowell, is the general contractor on the project and has been working on an accelerated timetable.

Since September 27, the Route 1A bridge has been closed for what highway official estimated would be a two-year reconstruction project. The original plan was to keep one of the two lanes open to traffic, but severe deterioration of the bridge forced officials to reduce traffic to one lane in the center of the bridge.

Shutting down the bridge completely has negatively impacted businesses in both Rowley and Newbury, since these companies rely on Route 1A traffic to bring in business.

Giant beams damaged at Route 1A bridge, Newburyport News, August 26, 2008

Continue reading "Safety Concerns Delay Progress on Route 1A Bridge in Newbury, Massachusetts" »

A subcontractor employee died recently after a five-story fall down an elevator shaft several weeks ago. The accident was reported just before 6:30 am on August 4. The construction worker, David Smith, 31, of Jackson, was an employee of Schindler Elevator Corp. The construction manager on the project was Gilbane-Clark.

Construction on the six-story, $145 million University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business halted immediately after the accident but was expected to resume soon afterwards.

Investigators have ruled out criminal activity, but, as of early this month, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the construction manager was continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the construction accident.

Worker dies after fall at UM construction site, Crain's Detroit Business, August 4, 2008

Continue reading "Construction Worker Dies After Five-Story Fall" »

According to Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, a jury recently found a forklift manufacturer not liable for a 1999 forklift accident in Wayland which resulted in severe injuries to the operator, leaving him with severe disabilities.

The operator was delivering trees to a construction site when he was thrown from the forklift. He was not wearing a seatbelt, but he lived for seven years after the accident. The plaintiff medical expert testified that the operator’s death from a brain hemorrhage was casually related to his spinal cord injury.

The trial stretched over five weeks, and at its conclusion, the jury returned its unanimous verdict on February 12, 2008. Using a single witness, the defense persuaded the jury that operator error caused the accident, not a defect in the forklift or a breach of warranty.

The worker’s own deposition testimony supported the defense’s assertion that it was operator error. Investigators for the Wayland Police Department and the federal Occupational Health and Safety Administration corroborated that conclusion.

Worker thrown from forklift rendered quadriplegic, MassLawyersWeekly.com, August 18, 2008

Continue reading "Forklift Operator Rendered Quadriplegic After Accident " »

Thomas Gehl, a 41-year-old construction worker, died recently after falling 14 feet from a metal beam and sustaining head injuries. He was working on an addition to Douglas Elementary School in Douglas, Michigan and had been employed by FCC Construction for over a decade. He had also volunteered as a firefighter in Caledonia, Michigan.

The construction worker was transported by ambulance to Spectrum Hospital and later died.

According to the Bureau of Labor, more than 5,700 construction workers died in construction accidents during 2006. Many others sustained injuries that prevented them from returning to work, which can take an emotional and financial toll on the worker and their families. Construction workers are in a high-risk profession due to the threat of hazardous substances, on-site explosions, faulty equipment, and other factors.

Construction worker severely injured by falling beam, WoodTV.com, July 28, 2008

Mich. man dies after school construction accident, MLive.com, August 13, 2008

Continue reading "Construction Worker Dies After Falling From Metal Beam" »

Last Friday in Titusville, Florida, a construction worker was killed when he was run over by a road-grader at around 4:40 pm. The construction project was intended to add two additional lanes to Grissom Parkway.

As of this writing, 48-year-old construction worker had been indentified so that police could notify his next of kin. He was an employee of KCF Site Construction, which was completing the work on Grissom Parkway.

No charges were filed against the driver of the road-grader; however, police said the driver is 47 years old and is employed by the same construction company. The accident is still under investigation.

With heavy-duty equipment and often treacherous conditions, construction sites are among the most dangerous places to work. Potential injuries include fires, welding accidents, motor vehicle accident, and on-site explosions.

Worker Killed In Construction Accident in Titusville, MyFox.com, August 15, 2008

Road-grader cited in death at Titusville construction site, FloridaToday.com, August 15, 2008

Worker Run Over By Road-Grader, Killed, Local6.com, August 15, 2008

Continue reading "Construction Worker Killed by Road-Grader at Construction Site " »

As longtime Boston residents may recall, a crane accident injured a construction worker 1999 during the Big Dig. More recently, fatal crane accidents in New York City, Texas, and Oklahoma have brought crane safety back into the public interest.

In response to the deaths of these construction workers following crane accidents and growing public concern over crane safety, the New York Times recently published an editorial calling for the current administration to take action and approve new standards for crane safety. The last time the federal safety rules had a significant update was in 1971.

According to the editorial, OSHA estimates that crane accidents take the lives of approximately 80 workers per year. The article also points out that concerned construction workers in Las Vegas have actually walked off the job to protest the lack of crane safety regulations.

Long Overdue Crane Safety, New York Times, August 2, 2008

Continue reading "NY Times Editorial Voices Crane Safety Concerns" »

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed fines totaling $135,200 for twelve alleged safety violations at New England Wood Pellet, LLC’s manufacturing plant in New Hampshire.

These citations come in response to an incident on January 23 where an employee was found in an unguarded conveyer. The list of alleged safety violations also includes two willful citations for combustible dust hazards and unguarded pulleys, which accounts for over $100,000 in fines.

The company also received fines for not having adequate fall protection for employees working on conveyors or employee training about working in confined spaces. In addition, they were cited for their lack of personal protective equipment for employees working on electrical equipment and for their incomplete injury and illness log.

According to Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director in Concord, "The sizable fines proposed here reflect the breadth and severity of the hazards identified during this inspection, including unguarded conveyors and exposure to fire and explosion hazards due to the design, construction and location of systems used to collect combustible wood dust generated during the manufacturing process.”

Continue reading "OSHA Fines New England Wood Pellet, LLC for Safety Violations" »

Brian Millet, 54, died last week at Baystate Medical Center in Massachusetts after falling four stories down an elevator shaft in a Hampton Inn under construction in Enfield, Connecticut. Millet was still conscious when medical personnel arrived at the scene of the accident, but he later died of injuries sustained during the fall.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the construction site accident but has no information about Millet’s employment status. When the construction site was inspected back in March, no violations were found, according to OSHA’s inspection data.

However, the construction company did have a serious safety violation on record from 2005. They also received a serious citation in 2003 because they did not have fall hazards over 15 feet secured by guard rails or other protection. After an appeal, the company settled the case and paid $5,000 for the safety violation.

OSHA Investigating Construction Worker's Fatal Fall In Enfield, Courant.com, August 2, 2008

Killingly man identified as victim in Enfield construction accident, Norwich Bulletin, August 1, 2008

Continue reading "New England Construction Worker Dies After Fall" »

In Dorchester, Massachusetts at the site of a new commuter rail stop under construction, an eight-ton piece of equipment injured a construction worker when it began swinging through the air last week. The worker sustained non-life threatening chest injuries and was transported to Boston Medical Center for treatment.

Construction sites are among the most dangerous working conditions, and construction hazards can include welding accidents, fires, crane collapses, explosions, and other dangerous circumstances. As a result, injured workers may sustain spinal cord injuries, disfigurement, or brain trauma. Some injuries some be so severe that they prevent the victim from returning to work. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) monitors safety conditions at construction work sites and other sites to ensure that appropriate safety precautions are followed.

In the event of an injury on the job in Massachusetts, you need a lawyer who understands OSHA regulations and will work with you, your employer, and your insurer to make sure you receive all of benefits you are owed. Contact a Massachusetts construction accident lawyer for information on your right to workers’ compensation. We have represented seriously injuries workers in cities throughout Massachusetts, so ask about your free consultation.

Construction Accident in Dorchester Injures 1, WHDH.com, July 31, 2008

One worker was killed and another injured in a recent crane collapse in Oklahoma City. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the coroner’s office are investigating the July 23 accident and say it could take over a month to determine the cause.

Meanwhile, the family of 33-year-old ironworker Joshua Dawe has filed a wrongful death lawsuit again Johnston Contractors, Inc. Dawe was in the basket of an aerial lift when the crane’s boom collapsed onto the baset, killing his instantly. His family is seeking over $50,000 in damages. John Contractors, Inc. was in charge of coordinating and inspecting work at the construction site, but the company claimed it does not own, operate, or maintain the crane or aerial lift.

Attorneys for Dawe’s estate had until yesterday to inspect the site of the accident. The Country Associate Judge has issued an order preventing OSHA from altering or repairing the crane and a 4-foot boom cable. However, work may continue in other areas of the construction project.

In Massachusetts, the deceased person’s estate has three from year from the time of death or from the time that wrongful death is discovered to file a lawsuit. If you believe your relative has died as the result of someone’s carelessness or negligence, then our Boston wrongful death attorneys can help. We will interview witnesses and liable parties to gather evidence and examine the circumstances surrounding your family member’s death. You pay noting until we recover your compensation.

Worker's family files wrongful death lawsuit over crane collapse, Pantagraph.com, August 1, 2008

Investigation, construction continue after deadly crane collapse, TMCNet.com, July 24, 2008

OSHA will investigate the site of a construction accident in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The accident occurred on a Thursday morning a few weeks ago when the ground gave way around Christopher Coppin, trapping the 34-year-old man for several hours. An estimated 100 rescuers from over a dozen departments rushed to the scene of the accident.

Family and neighbors watched as rescue crews worked to free Coppin before rain complicated the situation further. An on-looker commented that “I’ve been on several construction sites where bad accidents have happened. This is by far one of the most tragic ones I’ve ever witnessed.”

Fortunately, crews were able to clear the debris and move Coppin to a gurney in about four hours. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was listed in satisfactory condition.

Construction accidents can result in serious injuries such as severed limbs, disfigurement or brain injuries. If you or a family member has been injured on a construction work site, then contact our Boston construction accident lawyers. Our team of experienced attorneys is familiar with the safety regulations mandated by the state and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We will work with construction accident experts to determine who is liable in your case.

Worker Free After Spending Hours Buried, Wcco.com, July 17, 2008

Worker trapped in hole rescued, Kaaltv.com, July 17, 2008

In Southboro, Massachusetts, two workers with serious burns were transported to the hospital after an electrical explosion at an abandoned cold storage building last week. The two men were working in the basement and caused the explosion when they cut a live wire that they believed had been disconnected.

Fire officials did not release the names of the injured workers, but an electrical worker was taken to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester and a demolition worker was taken to MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. Their burns were not considered life-threatening. Four workers in other parts of the building (which is owned by Equity Industrial Partners Inc. of Needham) where the explosion occurred were not injured.

Fire engines from Framingham, Marlboro, and Northboro responded to the 911 call. National Grid cut off power to the building. Fire officials said they believe the explosion was accidental. An inspector from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was sent to investigate the building.

Whether you were injured in an electrical explosion or a construction accident, our Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyers can help. We work with clients throughout Massachusetts to examine your case and make sure you receive the medical treatment and monetary compensation you deserve.

Electrical explosion burns two workers, Telegram & Gazette, July 23, 2008

Explosion at warehouse in Southborough injures two, MetroWest Daily News, July 22, 2008

In light of recent crane accidents around the country, crane safety has been a top concern for city officials across the country. Federal investigators from OSHA descended on a Houston oil refinery over the weekend to examine the site of a crane accident that took four workers’ lives and injured seven others. The 30-story-tall crane, which was capable of lifting up to 1 million pounds, had collapsed last Friday around 1:20 pm.

The Louisiana-based crane company Deep South Crane & Rigging released the names of the four dead workers. They were identified as: Marion "Scooter" Hubert Odom III, 41; John D. Henry, 33; Daniel "DJ" Lee Johnson, 30; and Rocky Dale Strength, 30. Two severely injured workers were sent to Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center Hospital for treatment. Five other injured workers had already been released following treatment.

One lawsuit stemming from the collapse has already been filed in a Harris County state district court on behalf of Grant Pasek, who was injured after jumping from an elevated bucked. Pasek’s attorney told the Houston Chronicle that the temporary restraining to preserve the scene and evidence relating to the crane accident.

Whether you were injured in a crane accident, on a construction site, or other work-related setting in Massachusetts, you deserve medical attention and workers’ compensation. Contact our Cambridge workers’ compensation lawyers to discuss your case. We value your health and safety, and we’ll work you to ensure that you get the best possible treatment.

Crane collapses at Houston refinery, killing 4, Houston Chronicle, July 19, 2008

Investigators begin work at site of crane collapse, Associated Press, July 19, 2008

Crane collapse at oil refinery kills 4, San Francisco Chronicle, July 19, 2008

A 15-year-old boy was injured while helping his uncle on a residential construction project in Northborough, Massachusetts earlier this month. The uncle was identified as Stephen MacDonald of Natick and the company in question is Stephen MacDonald Construction, Inc. The names of the teen and his 16-year-old brother, who was also helping, have not been released to the press.

The two teens were moving lumber when the younger brother fell through a hole in the first floor, landing face-first in the basement. The injured teen flew by emergency helicopter to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Despite his injuries from the construction accident, emergency personnel say the boy was alert and conscious when they arrived.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) spokesperson Ted Fitzgerald, both OSHA and the Wage and Hourly Division of the U.S. Department of Labor are investigating the incident. The Wage and Hourly Division is determining whether child labor laws were violated. Several job are classified as too dangerous for young teens and the Department’s website lists “construction or repair jobs” as a potentially hazardous job.

If you or a family member sustained injuries on a construction site or other job-related environment, then you need a lawyer who understands workers’ compensation cases. Our team of Boston construction accident attorneys can explain your options and ensure that you receive proper medical treatment, as well as compensation.

Federal officials probing Northborough construction accident, WickedLocal.com, July 17, 2008

Related Web Resources

Safety and Health Guidelines for Teen Workers, osha.gov

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), dol.gov

On Sunday, July 6 a 38-year-old man suffered severe injuries after being pinned by an 8,800-pound machine at the Osram Sylvania plant in Exeter, New Hampshire. The machine, which is used to make light bulb equipment, fell onto the man’s lower half.

Several people called 911 and rescue teams called in additional people and equipment to help. Two sets of high pressure air bags and cribbing were needed to free the man. A helicopter from Boston MedFlight transported the victim to a Boston’s Massachusetts General Hospital, where he is receiving care for leg and other injuries.

The man’s name and the full extent of his injuries remain unknown.

A spokesperson for the Osram Sylvania plant told reporters that the man was not an Osram Sylvania employee but was hired by J.P. Sorrows, LLC, a rigging company based in Arkansas, to help relocate production equipment at the plant. The details of the accident are under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The investigation is expected to take several weeks, and the man’s name will not be released under the investigation is complete.

If you were injured on the job, then you need an experienced team of lawyers to make sure you get the medical treatment you. Contact our Massachusetts workplace accident attorneys for help with your case. You pay no fees until recovery.

Man hurt badly at Osram Sylvania not employed there, Fosters.com, July 9, 2008

Contractor crushed by 8,800-pound machine at Exeter's Osram Sylvania plant, SeaCoastOnline.com, July 8, 2008

Man rescued after being trapped under 4 tons of machinery in Exeter, Fosters.com, July 7, 2008

In response to a string of fatal crane accidents in New York City, city officials in Boston and around the country are cracking down on crane safety. Boston residents may remember the crane accident that occurred during the Big Dig in 1999. The injured worker settled for $8 million.

Though Boston building inspectors are already required to complete a 10-hour course about scaffolding and hoist safety, city officials say they hope to be even more cautious about crane safety in the future. Already state regulators in Massachusetts are working on a year-long initiative to make licensing requirements for crane operators even more difficult to improve safety. They are considering a proposal that would mandate a field test every two years so that operators can demonstrate their ability to operate the dangerous machinery.

Though OSHA claims that crane safety is a high priority, Boston’s 7News discovered that there has only been one tower inspection in almost three years, because the organization doesn’t routinely inspect cranes unless there has been an accident or complaint.

City officials in other areas are dealing with similar concerns about crane safety. In Washington, D.C., the district’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) launched emergency inspections of all cranes in the district (about 40 in total). In Florida, a bill that would have set statewide standards for crane operators was defeated in early April. In Houston, Texas, federal officials from OSHA are actually in charge of inspecting cranes and city inspectors check the cement platforms the cranes sit on.

Since crane accidents usually result in serious injuries, time is of the essence. If you or a family member were involved in a crane accident or other workplace injury, then our Boston construction accident lawyers can help. Our team of experienced attorneys will work with you during this difficult time to ensure that you get appropriate medical treatment and workers compensation.

U.S. cities inspect cranes after fatal NYC collapse, OccupationalHazards.com, June 4, 2008

Crane Safety, WHDH.com, June 4, 2008

Boston eyes crane safety, Boston Herald, May 31, 2008

On a construction site at 5 Wall Street in Burlington, Massachusetts, an elevated section of cement collapsed, injuring five construction workers just before noon on Friday, June 20. According to Assistant Burlington fire Chief Steven Yetman, the section was about 15 to 18 feet above the ground and measured 10 feet by 80 feet in length.

The construction workers sustained back, head, neck, and arm injuries. Burlington and Rescue units transported the workers by ambulance to Lahey Clinic. The names of the injured workers have not been released.

Located at the intersection of Route 128 and Route 3, the building where the accident occurred has six floors and will be certified as a LEED project by the U.S. Green Building Council. The cause of the construction site accident is unknown, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) plans to investigate.

Have you sustained injuries on the job? Whether you work on a construction site or other job setting, our Massachusetts workers’ compensation lawyers can help. We’ll work with you to ensure that you receive the best medical treatment available and the workers’ compensation that are you owed. We can also protect clients from employers or insurance companies that want to cut off benefits or help families who are dealing with workplace wrongful death cases.

Construction workers hurt, WickedLocal.com, June 26, 2008
5 Injured at Burlington Construction Site, WBZ.com, June 20, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, mass.gov

Occupational Safety & Health Administration, osha.gov

Six Massachusetts men were working on a construction site in York, Maine when one fell from the roof of the American Legion building where they were working. Police arrived at the job site and discovered the workers, who told police they work for MQ Construction in Massachusetts and commute each morning from Revere.

The workers did not have United States identification, so the police contacted the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When officers tried to contact MQ Construction to report the accident, they discovered that there is no company listed under that name in Massachusetts.

After falling from the roof, the injured construction worker told police his name was Esterberto Urena. Urena suffered a broken rib and was transported to York Hospital for treatment. He was released from the hospital, but his whereabouts since then are unknown. The other five workers were taken into custody as they await hearings by an immigration court. The men’s Ford van was impounded and remains at Jack’s Towing.

As immigration officials examine the men’s case, OSHA is also investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. As part of OSHA’s investigation, they took a harness and holding strap from the construction site.

If you were injured on the job, then contact our Massachusetts workers compensation lawyers. Our team of experienced attorneys handles cases throughout the Boston metro area. We will work with you to recover benefits and ensure that you receive the best medical treatment and care available.

Illegal workers are arrested after accident, Seacoastonline.com, June 17, 2008

Related Web Resources

Immigration and Cultural Diversity in Massachusetts, mass.gov

Worker Safety Series - Construction, osha.gov

Last week in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a 10-wheel Mack truck killed Robert Augeri of Londonderry, Mass. Augeri died at 1:30 am on his 31st birthday while working for Brox Industries on a highway paving project on Interstate 495. The truck, which was driven by Robert McCann of Methuen, Mass., had backed into the closed left travel lane near Exit 44.

The Massachusetts State Police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are launching a dual investigation, examining the truck and construction job site to ensure that federal safety regulations were followed. According to the Highway Department, this was the first fatal accident in a Massachusetts Highway Department Construction Zone in more than a decade.

That news comes as little consolation to Augeri’s family. His parents, who reside in Lowell, Mass., told the Eagle Tribune that their son was so committed to giving his wife and four young children a good life that he held down three jobs. The father and husband also worked for Chunky’s Cinema and SPR in Milton.

Although no charges have been filed, Augeri’s parents want answers. Why wasn’t there a spotter to monitor moving equipment at the job site? Did the Mack truck use orange strobe lights to warn construction workers when it was backing up?

If you have a family member who died in a construction accident, then contact our Massachusetts wrongful death lawyers. Our team of experienced attorneys has access to a variety of experts, including forensic pathologists and accident reconstruction experts, to help represent your case. You pay no fees until recovery.

Father from Londonderry dies in construction accident, Eagle Tribune, June 4, 2008

Truck runs over man in highway construction zone, Boston.com, June 3, 2008

Massachusetts contractors Shawnlee Construction and James T. Lynch Contractors, Inc., potentially face over $100,000 in fines for violating federal safety standards, announced the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) last week. OSHA says the construction site of a new McDonald’s restaurant in Concord, New Hampshire put construction workers and other employees at risk for injuries by not following safety standards.

Last November, OSHA compliance officers visited the McDonald’s construction site and found employees of Shawnlee Construction working on 15-foot high trusses without fall protection or properly anchored fall-protection lifelines. The officers also found that Shawnlee workers were not wearing eye protection while using nail guns nor did the company use fall protection harnesses and lanyards properly. OSHA has cited Shawnlee for similar work site violations in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island during the past three consecutive years. Because the Plainville, Mass.-based roofing company is a repeat offender, they received $96,500 in fines.

James T. Lynch Contractors, Inc., an excavation company based in Reading, Massachusetts, was also fined a total of $23,700 for using an access ladder that was too short, not having a hazard communication training program, and for putting construction workers at risk for cave-in accidents. The latter was considered a willful violation, which is the most serious violation, committed with "plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health," according to a press release announcing OSHA’s findings. The excavation company had been sited for similar violations in the past.

Both companies have 15 days to meet with OSHA or contest their fines.

If you suffered injuries from a construction accident, an industrial accident, or another workplace accident, our Massachusetts construction accident attorneys can make sure that you receive the medical treatment you need and the worker’s compensation you deserve under the law. We can protect clients from employers or insurance companies that want to cut off benefits or help families collect compensation in workplace wrongful death cases.

NH officials say 2 Mass. contractors endangered workers at site, Boston Herald, June 10, 2008

Two firms fined for safety lapses, Concord Monitor, June 12, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents, mass.gov

Occupational Safety & Health Administration, osha.gov