Although many safeguards are put into place to ensure the safety of employees, it is an unfortunate reality that accidents and casualties still occur. Unforeseen mishaps can turn into tragedy all too quickly, as was the recent case with an on-the-job accident involving a Texas construction worker.
One construction worker was treated for hypothermia, while another was pronounced dead after an on-the-job accident took place during construction of the Baylor University football stadium and pedestrian bridge.
The two men were working on the bridge in early February when their harnesses rolled or slid off the barge they were working on, causing both men to be tossed into the cold water of the Brazos River.
One man unfastened his safety harness and was able to make it to the surface. He was treated and later released from the hospital. Divers found the body of the other man later in the night in about 16 feet of water still tethered to the safety harness and wearing his flotation equipment. The cause of death was determined to be drowning, suggesting he was not killed on impact.
Many employees, specifically construction workers, face innumerable dangers while at work. Workers are in constant risk of injury or death from a multitude of scenarios but an employer is obligated to ensure the safety and well-being of all employees. As the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) begins its investigation to determine the cause of this fatal construction accident, it is vital that you get informed, know your rights and, if necessary, contact an experienced employment attorney.
