A worker suffered injuries in a Riverside construction accident after he fell 50 feet into a ventilation shaft and became stuck. According to a report in The Press-Enterprise, the man was hospitalized with what were described as moderate injuries. The fall occurred the afternoon of April 8th near the corner of Mission Inn Avenue and Market Street. Riverside fire officials said the worker was on the roof on the seventh floor when he fell into the shaft.
Rescue by Fire Department
A makeshift plywood floor on the third floor prevented him from plunging all the way down. The fire department’s technical rescue team strapped the worker to a harness to prevent him from falling further down. The shaft was partially open. So, firefighters were able to treat him for his injuries while others worked to free him. The entire operation took about an hour and the worker is expected to recover. The nature and extent of his injuries are not known.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured construction worker. We wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery.
Falls in the Construction Industry
Falls are the most dominant cause of fatalities and injuries in the construction industry. Many workers are exposed to falls on a daily basis including those working on roofs, those installing solar panels, carpenters, electricians, ironworkers, etc. A fall hazard is anything at the worksite that could cause a worker to lose balance. Any walking or working surface could be a potential fall hazard.
Under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, fall protection is required at 4 feet in general industry, 5 feet in maritime, and 6 feet in construction. However, regardless of the fall distance, fall protection must be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery.
Compensation for Injured Workers
If you are a worker who has been injured in a construction accident, you may be able to seek workers’ compensation from your employer. In addition, you may also be able to file a third-party claim against a party who is not your employer whose negligence may have caused the accident. Examples of third parties include general contractors, sub-contractors, construction companies, property owners and manufacturers of defective products. An experienced Riverside personal injury lawyer will be able to help you secure maximum compensation for your losses.
Source: https://www.pe.com/2021/04/08/construction-worker-rescued-after-50-foot-fall-into-ventilation-shaft-in-riverside/