Construction Worker Killed in Atlanta Trench Collapse
As an Atlanta construction accident lawyer, I know that trench collapse accidents are some of the most preventable ones in a construction zone. On Thursday evening, a worker was killed in a trench collapse at a construction site in Atlanta.
According to the AJC, the sewer trench was being constructed for a Habitat for Humanity home. The collapse occurred at around 4pm when the man fell into the 9-foot trench. Atlanta Fire and Rescue personnel, who rushed to the scene, said they removed about 32 cubic yards of dirt from the trench, and each cubic yard weighed about 3,000 pounds. The unidentified worker's body was recovered about 4 hours after the collapse. Another worker also fell in, but was rescued immediately.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) officials who investigated will determine whether all appropriate safety procedures were followed. However, according to emergency rescue crews, no trench shoring was done. Trench shoring is done to reinforce trench walls, using steel or wood. Shoring strengthens the sides of the trench, preventing walls from caving in. According to rescue crews at the scene of this accident, a trench collapse at the site was a very real possibility due to recent rains.
In all likelihood, trench shoring may have prevented this kind of collapse. Trench shoring is increasingly the standard at sites in Georgia and around the country. Unfortunately, there are still companies that scrimp on what they see as an additional expense, but could mean the difference between life and death for a worker during a collapse. Based upon the preliminary investigation, this appears to have been a preventable tragedy, and the family of this worker should consult with an Atlanta construction accident lawyer to understand their rights.
