The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health agency (MOSH) is investigating a fatal accident that occurred at a Maryland construction site. It is the second serious accident at the site so far this summer. In this latest tragedy, a 27-year-old construction worker died and another 25-year-old worker was seriously injured.
The construction site accident occurred when a pre-cast concrete wall collapsed at construction project at the Arundel Mills mall. The construction company is in the process of building a nearly 5,000-machine slots parlor and entertainment complex called Maryland Live! Casino. In addition to slot machines, the complex is expected to house dining venues as well as entertainment.
In the first accident, which occurred in early July, a piece of concrete fell on the leg and foot of a construction worker.
This time, a 30-by-40 foot wall collapsed unexpectedly. One construction worker was inside of a bucket lift when the wall collapsed and he became trapped in the wreckage. Unfortunately, rescue workers were delayed in their attempt to reach him because of the intense heat and humidity. He did not survive the accident.
The injured 25-year-old man was taken to Maryland Shock Trauma Center with life-threatening injuries. Thankfully, his condition has been upgraded from critical to fair, and it appears that his life is no longer in danger.
The casino is expected to open by the end of 2012. The company says it does not expect a delay in the construction schedule as a result of the recent accident.
Hopefully, the MOSH investigation will shed some light as to why the 25-ton wall suddenly collapsed. If MOSH finds that the construction company did not follow prescribed safety requirements, then it can be cited for the dangerous conditions on its construction site. If such is the case, hopefully further such serious injuries at the construction site can be prevented.
Source: The Baltimore Sun, “One dead, one injured at Arundel Mills slots construction site,” Nicole Fuller and Liz F. Kay, July 29, 2011.
