San Jose news reports that on Tuesday, October 6th a young worker was killed in a construction site accident near Bruce Way and Alamaden Road just outside the city limits. The incident remains under investigation by the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office and the California’s Occupational Safety and Health division (CalOsha).
According to initial reports, the man was employed by a San Jose-based company and was working on a home construction project when the bucket of an excavator struck him. He later died as the result of his injuries,
Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) statistics reveal that an average of 12 workers die each day in construction fatalities across the nation. Although this number has declined since OSHA was first established in the 1970s, construction work remains one of the most dangerous forms of employment. Thus, it is critical that general contractors comply with any and all OSHA regulations that help maintain a safe work environment and correct any hazards created by the work.
For example, very specific rules and regulations apply where workers use large and potentially dangerous machinery – such as excavators. This includes ensuring that workers receive proper training in operating the machinery, as well as the risks involved in working in areas where excavations may take place, and ensuring that necessary precautions exist to protect workers who may be working nearby. Where a general contractor fails to ensure the safety of a worker, he or she may be held accountable for personal injuries that occur. When a work site is hazardous, the general contractor is often to blame.
Here, it is unknown the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. For more information or if you or a loved one has been harmed in a construction site accident, please contact the dedicated Oakland personal injury lawyers at Viadro Law, LLP for an immediate consultation.
