There are many possible reasons for a construction accident. Sometimes, Illinois workers make simple mistakes that can result in a lot of pain and injury. Other times, the construction accident is simply a fluke. However, many times, construction accidents can be easily prevented, if those in charge of a construction project would only ensure that the appropriate safety measures were taken.
Unfortunately, officials believe that one man died due to several safety violations in the construction of a bridge between Illinois and another state. The man had been working on a barge on a device known as an aerial man lift. The equipment fell into the river, killing the man.
After an investigation, OSHA officials fined the bridge building company $15,300 for four serious safety violations. In one of the violations, OSHA noted that the man lift that was used should never have been put on a barge, as the operations manual states that it should not be put on a moving or mobile surface or vehicle. By being put on a barge, the company was violating the safety directions. In addition, officials found that the workers were not well-trained on using a boom lift or installing pipe pilings, nor were they adequately protected from various work hazards.
For the family of the deceased worker, there are no words that can describe how terrible it must be to lose such a man in a seemingly senseless construction accident. They may receive some solace in knowing that they are likely eligible for workers’ compensation death benefits. These payments are designed to help cover a deceased worker’s funeral expense and provide the family with some economic relief due to the loss of the man’s income from employment. In the meantime, it is hoped that future construction workers on this project may be better prepared and trained to handle any difficulties that may occur.
Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Bridge builders face fines over worker’s death,” Ken Leiser, Oct. 5, 2012
