There was a deadly construction accident in Kenilworth, New Jersey on May 6, 2024. According to reports, a construction crew was attempting to install a storm drain in back of business with an excavator. A worker fell into a trench which had been dug, becoming trapped under mud and concrete. Attempts to rescue the worker were unsuccessful. The victim has not yet been identified. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by this deadly incident.
Installing storm drains is a critical task in urban infrastructure development, but it comes with significant risks to the workers involved. The use of heavy equipment, such as excavators, is indispensable for digging the trenches needed to lay down the drainage pipes. However, these machines pose serious safety hazards. Excavators, with their powerful moving parts and heavy loads, can be a source of injury if not operated correctly or if safety protocols are not strictly followed. The risk is compounded by the proximity of workers to the operational zone, where they might be struck by the machine or caught between the excavator and other objects. Ensuring that operators are well-trained and that all workers are aware of the equipment’s range of motion is vital to minimize these risks.
Another significant hazard during the installation of storm drains is associated with working in and around trenches. Trench collapses are one of the most dangerous risks, potentially fatal due to the sheer weight of the soil and the speed at which a collapse can occur. Proper trench safety measures, such as sloping, shoring, and shielding, must be rigorously applied to prevent such disasters. Regular inspections of trench stability and adherence to safety standards are essential to protect the workers from being buried under a sudden collapse.
The environment inside the trenches can also pose serious threats to worker safety, particularly when trenches are filled with mud and water. These conditions not only increase the difficulty of moving around but also significantly raise the risk of slips and falls. Workers can easily lose their footing and injure themselves on tools, construction materials, or the trench walls themselves. Furthermore, working in mud and water can obscure hazards from sight, making it more difficult to recognize and avoid them.
Additionally, pouring concrete in these muddy trench conditions introduces another layer of risk. Concrete installation involves handling heavy, sometimes unpredictable flows of material that can lead to overexertion or trapping a worker against the trench walls. The chemical components of wet concrete also pose health risks, such as chemical burns and skin irritation, necessitating the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Continuous training on handling materials safely and monitoring the conditions within the trench are crucial measures to mitigate these risks effectively.
Tragically, there have been a number of recent deaths and injuries on construction projects. There was a crane accident in Braintree, Massachusetts on May 1, 2024. A deadly fall accident occurred at the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino project in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on May 2, 2024. A metal drum escaped a construction project and hit and killed a bystander in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on May 3, 2024. A scissor lift fell over at a construction project at Centennial Village at the University of Miami on April 27, 2024.
Despite being a vital part of the economy, construction projects often pose severe hazards both to construction workers and to the general public if precautions are not taken. Each construction project poses its own unique risks and hazards based on the work being done. Risks that may present themselves during a project must be carefully evaluated before the job begins.
Our experienced lawyers have handled personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits of all kinds and have the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously hurt. The experienced construction personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an accident at a work site.
Our lawyers have represented numerous workers who have sustained serious and catastrophic injuries on a job site as a result of the negligence of another party. There are strict and short time limits on making claims, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.