Kentucky Airport Accident Fatally Injures Worker

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been investigating a fatal accident at an airport construction site in Montgomery County, WKYT reported recently. A subcontractor on an addition to the administrative office at Mount Sterling-Montgomery County Airport died when he and a co-worker fell 20 to 25 feet. The fatally injured worker, who was 73, was pronounced dead at the scene. His co-worker, who fell on top of him, was taken to a nearby hospital and released the same day.

Construction Workplace Accidents

Construction sites are among the most dangerous workplace environments in America. Each year, more workers are killed in the construction industry than in any other industry except transportation. Sadly, the recent death in Kentucky illustrates all too well the most common cause of fatal construction accidents – falls.

Almost one in every 20 construction workers suffers a workplace injury at some point in their career. In 2012 alone, falls caused 36 percent of all fatal injuries in the construction industry.. That year, 278 workers lost their lives as a result of falls on construction sites.

Construction fall accidents can occur for a variety of reasons and under numerous circumstances. Some common causes of falls include:

• Improper or missing safety equipment.
• Not using a harness or other safety equipment on a roof.
• Incorrect scaffolding construction.
• Not using proper safety on ladders.
• Floor openings in old buildings or buildings under construction.

OSHA is the federal agency responsible for creating and enforcing workplace safety standards. It also offers training to employers and workers in an attempt to reduce workplace accidents. To educate both workers and employers about the danger of fall accidents, OSHA has implemented the “Fall Prevention Campaign.” It is crucial that everyone in the construction industry work together to protect workers from fall injuries and deaths by following OSHA guidelines and safety procedures.

If you have suffered a workplace-related injury or illness, or have lost a loved one as the result of one, you may be entitled to Kentucky workers’ compensation benefits.