Construction workers in Franklin, Ohio, know how hazardous their occupation can be. There is an inherent danger for workers when there is frequent interaction with heavy machinery as well as temporary structures. And though most employees may think that their employers have safety regulations covered, this is not always the case. Ignoring safety regulations can lead to on-the-job accidents and unnecessary injuries for workers. But in a recent construction accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has yet to determine the cause so employer negligence cannot be blamed as of yet.
According to reports, fifteen workers were laying bricks at a high school for a new auxiliary gym when the 60-foot scaffolding they were on collapsed. Many of the individuals fell 35 to 40 feet onto a pile of construction material. Eight of the workers were injured in the incident, two of whom had serious injuries. Only four of them were treated and released at the hospital, though. No names have been released and there is no report on the condition of the injured individuals. After the accident occurred around 10:15 a.m., local emergency personnel showed up in force: The sheriff’s department, emergency medical service and the local fire department were all there.
The construction company in charge of the site released a statement regarding the accident, stating that OSHA was contacted and that the federal regulatory agency would be investigating the incident to determine the cause, which is currently unknown. In the past, OSHA has inspected this company on five occasions and found no violations. OSHA has specific guidelines regarding scaffolding that include observing load limits, providing fall protection for scaffolding taller than ten feet and inspection of the scaffolding by a competent person. If you have been injured in a construction accident such as this one, you should speak with a knowledgeable attorney about your case to determine what your options are.
Source:
McDowell News, “OSHA investigating scaffold collapse” Ginny Hines, Aug. 13, 2013