Two Massachusetts firefighters were called to the scene of a Boston work accident to find an electrical worker trapped in a concrete pillar. The T work crew member was reportedly shutting off a rail for highway contractors when he stepped on a crumbling wooden plank and fell 35 feet into the hollow concrete beam, according to The Boston Herald.
Boston workers’ compensation lawyers understand the potential dangers that come with these demanding occupations; It is the responsibility of the employer to properly provide proper safety equipment and adequate compensation should an employee be injured on the job.
In pain, but still conscious, the electrical worker used his radio to contact the Operations Control Center at roughly 4 a.m. after making the 35-foot plunge. Once rescue workers arrived, it took them nearly three hours to harness up and pull out the worker through the shaft, which at times was as small as 2 feet by 2 feet.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration estimated that more than 4,000 workers died on the job in 2009.
“Absolutely (this was an error). They should be covered in steel or some other substance that can hold the weight of at least a person. Obviously, this wood did not,” said General manager Richard A. Davey. “I have ordered a complete review of the entire right of way to ensure that there are no others out there.”
It is important for your employer to properly maintain the working conditions on the job site and in the office building in effort to reduce the risk of injury in the workplace. If injury still results, it is the responsibility of the employer to provide for medical care, lost wages and other compensation.
If you have been injured at work in the Boston area, contact Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Attorney Jeffrey S. Glassman for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 877-617-5333.