A 56-year-old was killed in a recent work accident at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). According to Mass Live, two others were injured in this Massachusetts construction accident.
According to Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, the accident happened just after 9:30 a.m. The 9-1-1 call indicated that there were three workers who were pinned under two modular trailers. These trailers were being used as office space while construction crews were adding to the building. Officials have not been able to determine why the workers were near the modular trailers. Although one died, officials were able to free the other workers with a large crane.
Our Boston workers’ compensation lawyers understand that there were move than 50 responders called to the accident. It took more than three hours to address the situation. But was there something that could have been done differently to save these workers? That’s a question we’re constantly pondering. In 2011, there were close to 800 workers who were killed in the industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
With state partners, officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have just over 2,000 inspectors responsible for the health and safety of 130 million workers, employed at more than 8 million work sites around the nation. These workers are in charge of helping to keep you safe on the job. But is that enough? When you break these numbers down, that means that there is roughly one compliance officer for every 59,000 workers.
According to the United States Department of Labors, there were close to 5,000 workers killed on the job in 2011. We believe that many of these accidents could have been prevented if employers took more time and initiative to focus on safety.
Construction is a high hazard industry that comprises a wide range of activities. Examples include residential construction, bridge erection, roadway paving, excavations, demolitions, and large scale painting jobs. It’s these workers who engage in many jobs that may expose them to serious hazards, such as falling from rooftops, unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, asbestos, electrocutions and silica dust. To name just a few.
It’s the employer’s responsibility to make sure that workers are well prepared for these kinds of risks. They’ve got to make sure that employers are provided with all of the necessary safety equipment they need to complete the job safely, and they’ve got to make sure that each worker is properly trained in the duties they’re required to complete on the job. If you’re not receiving any of these materials or training, you have a right to speak up!
If you or a loved one was involved in a work accident in Massachusetts, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Industrial Accident Injuries Don’t Get Much Press, But are Very Serious, Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Blog, May 1, 2013
OHSA Cites Nuway Tobacco for Safety Violations, Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Blog, April 30, 2013