One of the many safety hazards workers in Georgia are exposed to is falling from heights. If an employer fails to obey the strict safety regulations prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, workers may suffer catastrophic injuries or even die in an on-the-job accident. In addition to providing proper safety training, workers should be supplied with the necessary fall protection equipment when working at elevated positions.
A 49-year-old worker for a concrete company was killed recently after losing his balance and falling into a concrete silo. Reportedly, the accident occurred just after 3 p.m. on a recent Monday, and first responders arrived to find the man buried under sand and gravel in the silo. They proceeded to recover the worker’s body.
Due to inclement weather throughout the afternoon and evening, retrieving the body proved to be a challenge. However, after about six hours, the task was successfully completed by 9 p.m. It was reported that an investigation by OSHA is underway, and this will determine whether the worker’s death was caused by any violations of safety regulations.
The grieving family of the deceased worker will likely be facing financial hardships after losing their loved one in this tragic on-the-job accident. Most Georgia workers are covered by workers’ compensation, and in the event of a fatal workplace accident, the surviving family may pursue a death benefit claim. Such benefits typically cover end-of-life expenses, along with some level of financial aid for the victim’s dependents, based on the deceased worker’s average weekly wage prior to death.
Source: East Cobb Ga. Patch, “Recap: Concrete Worker Killed in East Cobb Identified“, Feb. 24, 2015