At an outdoor music and food festival, a worker was injured when a beam fell on him, pinning him to the ground.
The worker, who is in his 30’s, was helping disassemble the VIP area beside one of the event’s stages. The beam was being lowered to the ground when it slipped and fell on the man’s back. Officials allege that the wind may have caused the beam to slip.
The man was taken to the hospital for life threatening injuries and the Occupation Health and Safety Commission (OSHA) has been contacted regarding the incident. As of Tuesday May 31st, the man’s condition is still unknown. The accident raises questions about the frequency of construction injuries.
Most Common Construction Injuries
According to OSHA, four types of injuries make up over 58% of all worker deaths in 2014.
- Falls
- Hit By Objects
- Stuck In/Between
- Electrocutions
Can Companies Make Construction Safer?
Several event construction and production companies are taking steps to ensure their worker’s safety through changes to structure design and the use of certain safety devices.
TAIT Towers
This engineering and design company creates stages for live performances. In 2014, the company hosted an Event Safety Summit. Participants attended panels delivered by industry experts like attorneys and investigators. Topics included the tragic nightclub fire at the Station in Rhode Island, the 2011 Indiana State Fair collapse, and more.
Sapsis Rigging
President of Sapsis Rigging Bill Sapsis provides on-site safety training for event construction companies. Sapsis worked with Bruce Springstein’s lighting contractors, Morpheous Lights, to provide Fall Arrest and Rescue training. His training catered specifically to height-based workers, including lighting technicians and riggers.
Lambda Productions
This production manager company has helped ensure safety at many music festival events, including Bonnaroo, Firefly, and Governor’s Ball. They have adopted the Event Safety Guidelines created by industry safety leader Event Safety Alliance.
While these companies are leading the industry in safety, not every employer has the same commitment.
Is My Employer As Committed To My Safety?
First and foremost, your employer is responsible for complying with the OSHA law and safety standards.
Beyond this, you can ask your employer if they belong to any safety alliances such at the Event Safety Alliance. You can also ask if your supervisors have won any certificates indicating a commitment to safety such as the ASHE Health Care Construction Certificate, which is awarded to workers who are committed to constructing healthcare equipment with safety and risk assessment in mind.
What Can I Do If I’m Injured On The Job?
Hopefully, your employer takes as many safety precautions as possible to ensure that your health and well-being are first priority. If for some reason you suffer an injury at work, workers’ compensation may be able to provide financial relief for medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. You should consult with a workers’ compensation attorney to determine the kinds of compensation for which you are eligible.
What Information Will I Need To File A Claim?
You should first and foremost inform your employer as soon as possible that you have been injured on the job. After that, several items of information may be useful in filing a claim. These items would also be useful if you decide to take legal action against your employer.
- Details about the location and time of the injury.
- Contact information for injury witnesses
- Employer and wage information
Can My Employer Fire Me For Filing A Claim?
No, it is illegal for your employer to fire you for filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you have been fired after filing a claim and are concerned that it is because you filed, you have a few options. First, you could look into OSHA’s Whistleblowers program, which is designed to protect employees from this very situation. When in doubt, you should contact an attorney.
I Have More Questions. Where Can I Turn?
Chances are, your questions have been asked before, you so can visit our FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers about your rights, which doctors you can choose for your treatment, and more. To speak with an attorney about your case, contact the firm at (800) 681-7000.
