It is difficult for those who do not work in the industry to fully understand the dangers that construction workers face. While working with heavy machinery and partially built buildings, construction accidents can happen at any moment regardless of the safety measures that are in place. Officials in California are investigating a recent incident that left one man dead.
The accident happened at the construction site for a FedEx distribution center at approximately 9 a.m. in the morning. The worker, a 56-year-old man, was reportedly compacting dirt in a drainage channel at the time of the accident. Unfortunately, a portion of a retaining wall collapsed on him as he worked.
Another worker was able to remove the concrete slab with a crane, but the man had unfortunately passed away. The California division of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation into the incident. If the investigation reveals that health or safety standards were violated leading up to the accident, the company could face fines and/or citations.
OSHA investigations have the potential of identifying the cause of construction accidents, potentially ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future. In the meantime, the family of the deceased man likely has more immediate concerns. In addition to coping with their grief over their loss, they must also deal with funeral expenses and loss of wages. While they may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, many people have found the compensation process overwhelming, especially in a time of recovery. Fortunately, there is professional help available to help grieving families pursue the benefits they deserve.
Source: seasidecourier.com, “Authorities ID worker killed in accident at Oceanside construction site”, Oct. 14, 2015
