One Still Missing in DC Construction Barge Accident

WJLA News reported Monday that two people were pulled from the Potomac River, while one man is still missing. Six construction workers were working on a construction barge when a crane tipped over, knocking three of the workers into the river. The other three workers jumped in to assist their coworkers.

When the initial 911 call was made, all six of the workers were in the water. Five of the workers made it safely out of the river. It is unclear whether the man was one of the workers involved in the crane accident, or whether he jumped in to help others.

Although recent legislation and company policies have made the job safer, construction work continues to be a dangerous trade. Safety and Health Magazine reports that 937 construction workers were killed in 2015. This number is almost three times higher than the manufacturing industry. To put that number in different terms, consider this: 18 construction workers died on the job every week in 2015.

As the construction industry has experienced a raise in demand, hiring qualified individuals proves to be difficult- especially if those individuals are to be trained in safe workplace practices. It is up to construction companies to be sure their employees are sufficiently trained in safety, and the lives of their coworkers often depends on it.

According to OSHA, there are four common hazards that cause the majority of construction-based fatalities: falls, struck-bys, electrocution, and caught-in or caught-between. Of the 937 construction deaths in 2015, over two-thirds were caused by one of these four common hazards.

Despite being referred to as the “bad guys,” OSHA encourages safe workplace practices by supplying materials and training to all types of companies and businesses.

Although many construction site deaths and injuries may not qualify for a personal injury lawsuit, there are many other factors that come into play. For example, if an individual lost their hand due to the malfunction of a piece of machinery, the manufacturer of that machinery could be held liable. This could result in the pursuit of a product liability lawsuit.

In the case of many accidents or injuries due to the malfunction of a single product, class action lawsuits may be developed. According to Newsome Melton, the differing types of class action lawsuits include: defective products, unfair and deceptive trade practices/fraudulent marketing, employment, and finance/securities.

In the case of the construction industry, however, prevention is key. Roy Anderson conducts a program called “Thumbs Up for Safety,” encouraging and rewarding workers who identify hazards on the jobsite. Included in the program is a “Countdown to Safety”:

• Take “5” and look around
• Focus on the top “4” construction killers
• Ask yourself “3” simple questions: What am I about to do? How can it hurt me or someone else? What am I going to do to prevent it?
• Remember “2” keep your mind on task, eyes on hands
• It only takes “1”- you- to make a difference