A Yale construction site at Science Park, 275 Winchester Ave., was the scene of a horrific construction site accident more than two months ago. A steel beam collapsed on Sept. 13, which resulted in the death of Robert Adrian and injuring of three others, Robert Enfield, Robert Elliott and Sheneane Ragin.
A plan for a new chiller plant at Science Park in Yale was the reason for the on-going construction. When completed, it will dole out tons of cool air throughout the campus buildings. There were conflicting reports from University officials and Local 24, a worker union of ironworkers, as to how long construction halted after the fatal accident. University officials stated that the construction ceased for two weeks after the death, but the union worker president said it halted only three or four days.
Edmund Fitzgerald, an Occupational Safety Health Administration representative, said that by law, it usually takes at least up to six months to complete the inspection and investigation, but usually investigations that involve a fatality can take longer to find if violations occurred by the employer’s negligence.
However, a change of hands occurred at the wake of the accident when Action Steel from Hartford replaced Fast Trek Steel. It is not known why the switch occurred right after the accident. Neither would comment due to the OSHA investigation. The three injured men have not returned to work since the accident, as two of them are still undergoing intense physical therapy for their injuries. All of the original workers at the time of the accident have been replaced and moved to other sites and other workers from other unions have taken over.
According to a report by Bureau of Labor, approximately 4,340 occupational fatalities occurred in 2009 alone. The report also states that construction workers, particularly construction laborers, remain to incur the most fatal out of any injuries. OSHA reports that at least one in 10 construction workers are injured every year on job sites and injuries from falls are the most common types of accidents.
If you think you have been injured due to unsafe practices and conditions by your employer, seek legal counsel.
Alexandra Reed writes for Connecticut personal injury law firm, Stratton Faxon. Contact Stratton Faxon to speak with a Connecticut accident lawyer about your personal injury, wrongful death, or Connecticut malpractice case. To learn more, visit Strattonfaxon.com.
