Worker Dies in Trench

DATELINE: Hawaii, 2/21/12

A 40-yr.-old worker and two others were covered up to their thighs in dirt from a caved-in trench. One man died from trauma to his chest and abdomen from the falling dirt and rocks.

• Protect your workers when they enter a trench.
• Slope, bench or shore.
• You don't have to be buried to die.
  

Falling Rock, Dirt Kills Man

DATELINE: Tennessee, 2/23/12

A man helping dig a ditch was fatally struck in the back by falling loose dirt and rocks. The company was demolishing a basin at a plant.

• Keep your men out of harm's way.
• If you put a worker in a ditch, protect him
• A cubic yard of dirt weighs as much as a small car.
  

Photo Credit: David McGlynn.

Worker Crushed in Collapse

DATELINE: New York, 3/23/12

A construction worker was killed when part of a warehouse being demolished collapsed on him and others. Structural beams were cut, causing the instability.

• A professional engineer should always be involved when compromising structure.
• Get workers away until safe.
  

Man Saved from Muddy Death

DATELINE: Georgia, 3/27/12

A worker who stumbled and fell into a pit of mud was rescued by a fire department crew. A floating plywood bridge was constructed to get to him. He passed out due to exhaustion an mud had to be scraped out of his mouth to resume breathing.

• Warning tape or barricades can be used to prevent this.
• A JHA could have identified this hazard.
  

Photo Credit: Channing Joseph.

One Killed, 4 Hurt in Crane Collapse

DATELINE: New York, 4/3/12

One man was killed and four others hurt when an upper section of a 170-ft. crane collapsed on them. It appeared that a cable snapped. The crane was due for a reinspection two days later after missing a full inspection in January.

• Cables should be routinely inspected. The wear out first.
• Failure to monitor and inspect can be fatal.

Man in Lift Dies in River

DATELINE: Illinois, 7/28/12

A man working on a lift on a barge died when the lift he was in  toppled into the Mississippi River. He was tethered to his basket. It took rescuers two days to recover his body because of swift currents.

• Life vests are required over water.
• Ring bouys with 90' are required over water.
• Tying off to the basket? Did this contribute to his death?