There are many known risks involved in working in the field of construction. For these risks, employers can take safety precautions to help reduce the chance that employees will suffer from a construction injury. Unfortunately, no precaution can protect a California worker from all of the risks that could potentially be encountered. For example, one man was recently killed in an out-of-state accident caused by a shard of pipe.
The accident happened in mid-August. A crew was working to install pipe in an area where a roadway was planned. The victim, a 39-year-old man, was using a saw to cut a section of pipe.
Unfortunately, a shard of pipe came loose and struck the man in the neck. Although first aid was administered, reports indicate that the man died at the scene. The incident is currently under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The victim’s employer could face fines if OSHA finds that health or safety standards were violated in the events leading up to the accident.
Many workplace accidents leave families wondering how they will handle the emotional and financial implications of their loss. Fortunately, states require employers to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage to help workers with the costs of a construction injury or other workplace accident. In the case of a fatality, these benefits typically extend to dependent family members and provide for lost wages, funeral costs and other end-of-life expenses. Because of the complicated nature of the compensation process, many in California have found that an experienced professional can help them as they seek fair compensation.
Source: equipmentworld.com, “Worker killed by pipe shard on Utah jobsite“, Wayne Grayson, Aug. 27, 2015
