There are many dangerous tasks a person may engage in when working on a construction site. The industry as a whole acknowledges the risks construction workers face and employers are supposed to ensure their employees are properly trained on all safety protocols and procedures to prevent accidents. Working at great heights, near electrical wires and around heavy machinery are just some of the dangers on a construction site. Working near or in open trenches provides yet another opportunity for danger to strike.
An open trench was the site of a recent accident in Brooklyn that found three construction workers partially buried in a sea of cinder blocks. According to a report by the New York Post, the men had dug a hole somewhere between four and five feet deep in an effort to take out some stumps left behind from trees that had previously been there.
While the excavation work was being performed, a concrete block wall collapsed on the men. One worker was said to be completely buried in the blocks up to his torso. All three had to be rescued by first responders using a range of tools including a chipping gun to enable the construction workers to be safely pulled from the rubble.
The three men all required treatment at a hospital, and one was listed in serious condition. It is not known at this time if any safety rules had been broken or if any violations may be forthcoming. Also unknown is whether or not the employer’s business had previously been cited for any safety violations. There were no violations on record for the building itself.