Articles Posted in Construction Accidents

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

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

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 Continue reading

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

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

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

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