A worker was seriously injured in a construction accident where he fell two stories after stepping backwards into an opening in a house that was being built. The 30-year-old worker cracked his head on the basement floor and sustained a traumatic brain injury. While the rescue was complicated by the fact the basement stairs had yet to be built, emergency crews were eventually able to extract the worker and he is expected to survive. Fall Hazards are the Most Common Cause of Fatal Construction Accidents According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), fall hazards contribute to more than 30 percent of all fatal construction accidents. Additionally, falls are the cause of 28 percent of all spinal cord injuries. However, these deaths and injuries are preventable when construction companies follow these three steps: Create a plan beforehand – When workers must operate from heights, such…
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A worker was injured in a construction accident last month that resulted in second-degree burns on his torso and arms. According to a statement released, the construction worker was transferring fuel from underground tanks to newer tanks above ground. As the worker was cutting into the old tank to clean it, sparks from the device slipped into the tank and it ignited. This caused an explosion that hurled the worker approximately five feet away and sent flames shooting as high as 30 feet in the air. Are Burns a Common Type of Construction Accident? When you think of a construction accident, fall hazards, being struck by objects or machine hazards come to mind. Few consider the risk of burns or explosion. However, construction site burns are actually somewhat common and can be debilitating and very painful injuries. Typically, construction site burns are caused by the following: Electrocution Explosions Hot water…
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Last month, two Hanover construction workers lost their lives in a tragic crane accident. The workers were lifting a large and heavy generator for an air conditioning unit when two of the straps from the crane snapped, dropping the machine onto the workers. The generator weighed 10,000 pounds. One worker was pronounced dead at the site. The other was transported to the hospital with severe crush injuries, but passed later that day. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is currently investigating the circumstances to determine why the straps from the crane failed so suddenly. Construction Companies Need to Prevent Hoist Safety Hazards While lifting and transporting heavy objects is essential for construction sites, there are many safety issues to consider given the number of serious injuries and deaths caused by crane accidents each year. The main types of crane safety hazards are electrical, overloading and hoist hazards, which is…
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