Dock worker dies in tragic workplace accident

On Behalf of | Feb 23, 2012 | Industrial Workers' Accidents |

A recent incident at a port has filled the news with tragedy. The unexpected death of a dock worker has raised potential questions about the safety of the work environment at the port. This particular industrial accident is a reminder to Illinois workers that one can never be too cautious at a work site.

During the early hour hours of the evening, emergency service workers were called to a port to respond to an accident involving a worker. A 47-year-old woman had been crushed by two metal containers, each of which is about the size of a car. Both of the containers had just been removed from a ship. The woman was rushed to a hospital and received treatment for her catastrophic injuries. Within about an hour of the accident, the treatment was not working and the woman was pronounced dead.

As of now, the spokespeople for the privately operated container yard have released few details about the incident. In the meantime, investigations have been launched to determine the cause of the accident. Among those looking into the industrial incident is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Their investigation will determine if the accident was the result of unsafe working conditions.

Working at a dock certainly carries risks: massive cargo containers moving around all day can be a threat to a person’s safety. However, this does not mean employers should not make a strenuous effort to eliminate any unnecessary threats to the safety of their employees. We all look forward to the day when there is no risk of accident or death within workplaces.

Source: The Star-Ledger, “Female dock worker at Port Newark killed in industrial accident,” Tomas Dinges, Feb. 22, 2012

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