A 38-year-old man from Missouri lost his life while he was unloading massive steel pipes at a construction site in another state. This is a stark reminder of a fatal construction worker accident that occurred under similar circumstances in the same state last October. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is still investigating that incident.
On a recent Monday, the Missouri man arrived at the construction site to unload the pipes — each weighing approximately 2,500 pounds. The project contractor said the worker assisted by unstrapping a pipe when it rolled onto him. Although other workers on the construction site tried to offer first aid until the arrival of emergency workers, he succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a hospital.
In Oct. 2016, a forklift operator and a truck driver were unloading metal pipes. The truck driver reportedly untied the straps that held the pipes on the flatbed trailer when he was also crushed to death by a rolling pipe. OSHA will likely focus on the compliance with safety regulations in both these tragedies.
The surviving family members of the man who lost his life in this tragic construction worker accident can pursue death benefits to assist with the unanticipated financial burden of end-of-life expenses and lost income. However, the fact that the incident occurred in Minnesota might complicate the claims process. The most appropriate step might be to consult with an experienced workers’ compensation attorney to provide the necessary guidance and support in navigating the claim for financial relief.
Source: ehstoday.com, “Construction Worker Killed When Pipe Rolls Off a Trailer“, Sandy Smith, Feb. 22, 2017