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
Contact our Massachusetts construction site accident attorneys if you have been injured on the job.