Fatal workplace accident under OSHA investigation

In New York City and throughout the country, construction sites are known to be very dangerous. There are many inherent dangers in and around construction sites that contribute to the risks that employees take each day when they step onto a worksite. As a result, it is extremely important for contractors to abide by all safety measures. When people ignore safety procedures or warnings that premises are dangerous, everyone on the worksite might at risk of suffering catastrophic injury.

Such was the recent tragedy that occurred on a construction site. There, the contractor was on notice that the premises were dangerous. Inspectors actually issued a stop-work order until the dangers could be rectified. Specifically, a 12-foot deep hole that had been dug was in danger of collapse when city officials inspected the construction project. The inspector demanded that the hole be made secure before anyone entered the trench. Otherwise, individuals would risk serious injury or even death from a collapse.

Unfortunately, the contractor ignored this order and allowed his employees to continue working on the site. Then, just as the inspector had feared, a 37-year-old employee was working in the hole when it collapsed on top of him. According to reports, he died almost immediately. To make matters more serious, rescue workers were placed in danger of also being buried alive, making it much more difficult to attempt a rescue and then remove the man’s body.

This type of fatal construction accident could have been prevented if only the contractor had not ignored the dangers made clear to his company before the accident happened. The circumstances of this tragic incident remain under investigation. Whether the contractor will be held criminally responsible has yet to be determined.

Though this accident did not take place it New York City, a similar incident could occur anytime a contractor disregards safety precautions in an attempt to cut corners. As this story shows, cutting corners can result in a tragedy for which the responsible parties should be held accountable.

Source: Mercury News, “Man buried, dies when hillside collapses in Milpitas,” Mike Rosenberg, Jan. 30, 2012