Construction Accidents: April 2007 Archives

Construction Crane Topples at Airport

A construction accident at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport shut down the upper level drop off lanes at the South Terminal. No one was hurt. Airport engineering crews were able to stabilize the fallen equipment after three hours. Airport spokesman Herschel Grangent said that airport officials are trying to figure out how the accident happened.

Construction Crane Topples at Airport

"We have engineering, also operations, looking at the situation just to find out exactly what was going on when the crane overturned to see if all procedures were followed and once we make a determination on that we'll know exactly what happened," Grangent said. Four cars were damaged in the accident.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 01:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Maltese Construction Accident Stirs Debate on Work Safety

The deaths of two workmen in Hamrun, Malta has begun a debate on Maltese occupational health and safety standards. Godwin Buhagiar, a 44-year-old father of four, and a 23-year-old Serbian died when a newly-laid ceiling at the the construction site at which they were working collapsed. An accident at a different construction site the day before seriously injured a worker. Mark Gauci told the Malta independent that the participation of all involved in labor was needed for an overall improvement in occupational health and safety standards.

Tragic accident at construction site in Hamrun: Maltese victim was a father of four

Gauci says that while any accident that injures or kills a worker is reason for serious concern, the number of such accidents actually is on the decline. Gauci said that the number of workplace accidents this year was comparatively low and that this was the first accident that resulted in death. “We have had two accidents in two days now, but our statistics reflect a different scenario. OHSA is bound to carry out awareness and information campaigns, issue guidelines and enforce the legislative framework,” said Gauci.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 02:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

6 Hurt in Minnesota Construction Accident

Six construction workers were injured when a wooden building frame collapsed at a construction site in St. James, Minnesota. Two of the workers were take to Immanuel-St. Joseph Mayo Health Center in Mankato and four others were treated for less severe injuries in St. James.

6 Injured in Minn. Construction Accident

Kim Eisfeld, the assistant police chief, said that investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the accident scene. It appears that roofing supports failed, leading the part of the wooden building frame collapsing. St. James is about 30 miles southwest of Mankato in southern Minnesota.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Construction Workers Stage Mass Resignation

Citing unsafe workplaces, low pay and intimidation by managers, a group of Australian construction workers has staged a mass resignation to protest their working conditions.

Construction Workers Resign in Protest

The construction workers, who are employed by Coles Myer and were hired through Busicom Solutions, are complaining that they are paid at least ASD $10 less than standard wages, face major on-site safety issues, and have been dismissed for so much as suggesting their workplace lavatories were unclean. The protest stopped up the parent company's delivery trucks for at least four hours and is ongoing.

Posted by Erin Blakemore at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Washington State Works on Construction Safety

The Bellingham Herald recently published a feature about Washington State Labor & Industries safety recommendations and fines, citing L&I efforts to improve construction site and occupational safety around Washington State.

Working Together On Safety

The article shares ways in which businesses can cooperate with L&I regulations and also lists Whatcom County's worst fine offenders, led by Stonwest Corporation ($4,360 fine for operating procedure violations concerning containers) and ($3,450 fine for fall protection procedure violations).

Posted by Erin Blakemore at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Close Call For Woman Nearly Crushed By Equipment

A Wisconsin woman is counting her blessings after narrowly escaping being crushed by a 20-ton piece of construction equipment that fell out of a dump truck.

Woman narrowly misses getting crushed by construction equipment in her driveway

The rock screener fell out of a dump truck and into the driveway of her La Crosse, Wisconsin home. Sara Wrobel, who is pregnant, was shocked to see a huge piece of equipment hit a telephone, flip and land in her driveway. She survived without injuries; her concrete driveway, however, was not so lucky.

Posted by Erin Blakemore at 06:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Six Chinese Workers Die to Cover Up Beijing Tunnel Collapse

Chinese officials are being criticized for their response to a subway collapse in Beijing. In an apparent attempt to cover up the situation, authorities did not quickly respond to the collapsed bridge. The delay likely has condemned the six men who were trapped in the collapse. News of the accident only became public two days after the accident.

Beijing: Six Workers Condemned to Death to Cover Up An Accident

Immediately after the collapse, the authorities did not call for help, but instead closed the construction site and took away workers' cell phones to prevent them from communicating news of the accident with anyone else. One worker, however, was able to use his phone to call his friends in the central Henan province to report the incident because he was afraid that Beijing officials would block the news. After the story made news, the government was forced to admit to the accident. Internet bloggers are placing the blame for the deaths on the City Authority.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Worker's Death Raises Cocerns Over Immigrant Hispanic Worker Safety

Francisco Antonio Alaman-Renderoz, 45, who originally came from El Salvador, fell 25 to 35 feet while putting in a fireplace wall during the construction of a cabin in Brighton, Utah. Alaman-Renderoz was not wearing any safety equipment at the time of his fall; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that a harness or a railing must be used if a construction worker is more than 6 feet off the ground.

Worker's Death Raises Concern Over Safety of Hispanic Immigrant Workers

Hispanic construction workers are more frequently injured on the job than other races in Utah. The U.S. Labor Department says that there were 6,300 injuries and 1,180 deaths during construction and extraction jobs in the United States in 2005. Greg Summerhays, from the Workers Compensation Fund, says, "Hispanics are getting injured more than anyone else, partly because they work in one of the most dangerous jobs." From 1992 to 2002, there was an 11 percent in fatal work accidents in the entire construction worker population. However, in the same time frame, there was a 46 percent increase in death among foreign workers.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Girlfriend Seeks Truth Behind Boyfriend's Death

Ralph Kennedy was a scaffolder who was electrocuted seven months ago while working. Kelly Ivory, Kennedy's girlfriend and the mother of his two children, is hoping to find some answers in Kennedy's death. At the time of his death, Kennedy had been working extra shifts to buy a puppy for his son's birthday. He was killed when he touched a light fitting on the Mayford estate in Somers Town.

‘Who’s to blame for my Barney’s death?’

Ivory will not speak on the case until after a verdict has been reached. However, she did say: “I just want to know who’s responsible for Barney’s death, for me and for the children. It’s been seven months and it’s such a long time to wait and see who’s to blame. You can’t get on with it because it’s all on hold.”

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Man Blames Construction Company for Injuries

Timothy Adkins was injured while working at the Cross Worship Center in West Virginia. He says that his injury was not protected by workers' compensation because Cole Construction did not offer coverage when he was injured on March 22, 2005. The lawsuit alleges that Adkins was hurt while working a job that has a high risk of injury or death. Adkins says that he was exposed to unsafe conditions that were caused by the negligence of Cole Construction.

Man Blames Construction Company for Injuries Building Worship Center

The lawsuit was filed in Kanawha Circuit Court on March 27. The suit also names Rodney Cole, All Crane & Equipment Rental Corporation, Babcock Lumber Company ,David Johnson, Bryant Krepps, Cross Worship Center, J.T. Construction LLC and unknown defendants.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

$101 Million Settlement Reached in Garage Collapse

A New Jersey Superior Court judge and attorneys reached a settlement of $101 million in a case representing those injured in a collapse of the Tropicana Casino parking garage. Four construction workers were killed in the collapse and more than 30 other people were injured in the October 30, 2003 collapse.

$101 Million Settlement in Deadly 2003 Tropicana Parking Garage Collapse That Killed Five Workers

The settlement is comprised of about $82.5 million in cash, $2 million in previously settled cases, about $8.2 million of workers compensation payments to victims that will not have to be repaid, and more than $8.3 million in future medical expenses. Robert J. Mongeluzzi, from the law firm representing the plaintiffs, said that the settlement is one of the largest granted in a construction case in American history. "This closes one of the most tragic chapters in American construction history. The devastating wounds occurred on October 30, 2003, the scars will last forever," Mongeluzzi said. "All of the families are to be commended for their courage, for carrying on the good names of their loved ones who believed in the sanctity of a safe work environment. They each hope this case sends a message to builders and owners that cutting construction corners costs lives."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Workers Drown At Vineyard

Two vineyard workers in California were found drowned in an irrigation pond the day after they were reported missing by relatives. Ramon Cisneros Acosta, 42, and Rogelio Ruiz Reyes, 29, are believed to have drowned accidentally in the pond at Clos Pepe Winery. Preliminary investigation suggests that Acosta was in a small kayak to clean a pump filtration system in the pond when he likely fell into the water. Reyes is believed to have drowned while trying to save Acosta.

Workers drown at vineyard

A more thorough investigation is planned to begin shortly. California OSHA investigators will look into whether the job assigned to the two men required more workers. No other workers were at the vineyard because the vineyard is closed to the public until April 13 when the vineyard owners will return from a vacation. Diana Mikkelsen, an unofficial spokeswoman for the vineyard, said that Acosta and Reyes would be missed: "The workers are the backbone of this vineyard."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 01:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

OSHA To Support Campaign to Protect Highway Employees

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration plans to participate in National Work Zone Awareness Week 2007. The campaign will focus on safety awareness for employees working in highway work zones. The Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Edwin G. Foulke Jr., says that "employees who work in highway zones have one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States and these employees need not only OSHA's support, but the support of everyone who gets behind the wheel on a daily basis."

OSHA To Support 2007 Campaign to Protect Highway Employees

OSHA currently already has many resources that discuss the health and safety of construction workers and others who work in highway zones. OSHA and the Roadway Work Safety and Health Partners alliance hope their efforts will highlight the importance of highway zone work safety and encourage people to take advantage of available resources to learn more about the topic.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Construction Worker Killed in South Carolina

Jonathan Alton Roberson, 25, from Boiling Springs, S.C., was killed when a large weight fell on him while he was working at a north Charlotte construction firm. Roberson died at the scene. An inspector from the N.C. Department of Labor has been visiting the accident scene and will interview witnesses and review the circumstances of the accident to determine whether any violations may have contributed to Roberson's death.

Man dies in construction accident

Roberson had been trying to offload a large counterweight used on a crane from the bed of a tractor-trailer when it fell on him. Paramedics pronounced Roberson dead within 30 minutes. The maximum fine for a serious worksite violation is $7,000.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Painter Dies After Construction Accident

Fifty-five-year-old Rejean Chicoine had been working on a new central heating system at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst when he became stuck between a roof beam and the aerial lift machine that he was operating. Chicoine was doing spray painting for a subcontractor on the project and was working alone when the accident occured.

Worker at U-Mass Amherst Dies in Construction Accident

Chicoine died on Monday from the severe head injuries that he suffered. Federal safety regulators and the Northwestern district attorney's office currently are investigating. Chicone worked for Fine Painting, a subcontractor of O & G Industries of Torrington, Connecticut.

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 10:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Workers Buried in Accident

Four construction workers had minor injuries after being buried in dirt and rock in San Francisco's Nob Hill at a basement they were working on. The men work for Dore Construction and had been excavating the basement and the garage area of a three-story house at 1260 California Street when loose rock and dirt began to fall, trapping them. Fire department spokeswoman Lt. Mindy Talmadge said that the department was notified of the situation at 2:22 PM.

Workers partially buried in construction accident

When firefighters arrived at the scene, all of the men except for one had freed themselves; it took another 20 minutes to free the remaining man. All four men were taken to San Fransisco General Hospital. Investigators from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health are investigating the accident and the process could take two or three months. The worksite currently remains closed. Dean Fryer, a spokesman for the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, said that "It's not the type of thing you see often, but obviously the type of work they're doing could have many pitfalls if they're not doing it correctly."

Posted by Patricia Bowling at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

April 30, 2007

Construction Crane Topples at Airport

April 27, 2007

Maltese Construction Accident Stirs Debate on Work Safety

April 26, 2007

6 Hurt in Minnesota Construction Accident

April 23, 2007

Construction Workers Stage Mass Resignation

April 22, 2007

Washington State Works on Construction Safety

April 21, 2007

Close Call For Woman Nearly Crushed By Equipment

April 20, 2007

Six Chinese Workers Die to Cover Up Beijing Tunnel Collapse

April 19, 2007

Worker's Death Raises Cocerns Over Immigrant Hispanic Worker Safety

April 18, 2007

Girlfriend Seeks Truth Behind Boyfriend's Death

April 17, 2007

Man Blames Construction Company for Injuries

April 16, 2007

$101 Million Settlement Reached in Garage Collapse

April 13, 2007

Workers Drown At Vineyard

April 12, 2007

OSHA To Support Campaign to Protect Highway Employees

April 11, 2007

Construction Worker Killed in South Carolina

April 10, 2007

Painter Dies After Construction Accident

April 09, 2007

Workers Buried in Accident