Water tower accident kills one worker and injures another

Accidents can occur anywhere and at anytime, but accidents at the workplace can be prevented if certain health and safety measures are taken. Workers’ compensation is an essential benefit available to employees that have been injured on the job. The compensation awarded does not only ensure that the injured worker will recover from the work injury or illness, but also that he or she will be able to return to work.

One worker was killed and another injured after a workplace accident recently. Both men were subcontractors working on a water tower and were suspended in work harnesses at the time of the incident. They both fell into the water tank, causing one to fall to his death and the other to dangle around 40 to 60 ft from the bottom. Emergency rescue crews responded to this incident, and it took several hours to free the dangling worker who was suspended in his work harness. Members of the rescue crew had to enter the tank to extricate him.

This accident is still undergoing investigation, but it was stated at the scene that the accident was due to a malfunction in industrial equipment. A worker injured in an accident like this might have a workers’ compensation claim. An award from the claim would cover medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation and pain and suffering. Family of a deceased worker who is killed in an accident like this could seek a wrongful death claim to cover the costs of funeral bills, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

Health and safety are both important in the workplace. Even if a good standing safety program is implemented at the workplace, it is important to assess and improve safety in the work environment. Testing equipment regularly is also very crucial and could help prevent some workplace accidents.

Source: NBC News, “1 Dead, 1 Injured After Workers Fall Into Water Tower,” David Chang and Kelly Bayliss, Dec. 06, 2012