Earlier this month, a 56-year-old construction worker was operating a jackhammer on the second floor of a building that is being demolished to make way for an apartment complex. The concrete floor beneath him collapsed and the worker fell 25 feet. He was taken to the hospital and is still receiving treatment for injuries sustained from this Tennessee construction accident.
Building inspectors have since issued a stop work notice on the project until a structural engineer can assess the situation and advise the company how to safely move forward with construction.
ANY CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION PROJECT REQUIRES THOROUGH PLANNING BEFOREHAND
In this instance, a structural engineer should have been consulted before beginning the demolition and construction project. Floor collapses are one of the many hazards on construction sites and can cause life-changing injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. Usually, they are caused by the following:
- Weak flooring
- Unstable flooring
- Temporary flooring without sufficient support beams, such as pieces of plywood used to make a bridge over a gap for workers to travel across
- Failure to properly secure flooring down
- Holes created for throwing debris down onto the first level
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the hazards associated with construction and demolition work can be eliminated when employers employ the following standards:
- Proper planning is done beforehand to assess the risks on site
- The correct protective equipment is provided to all workers
- The necessary training for all tools and hazards on the site is provided
Before every demolition and construction project, it is the responsibility of the building company to complete an engineering survey beforehand to evaluate the condition of the structure and prepare for the possibility of a collapse. Without this, it is more likely construction accidents will occur.
Stanley A. Davis is a Nashville construction accident attorney who fights for workers injured on-the-job. We can help you file a workers’ compensation claim to make sure you have what you need to recover.
“Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:14-15
Source: https://newschannel9.com/news/local/man-injured-in-construction-accident-in-chattanooga