As in other states, employers in Nebraska must comply with the strict safety regulations that are prescribed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Unfortunately, some company owners disregard worker safety, and this often results in an on-the-job injury or accident that can even be fatal. Operators of heavy equipment, such as cranes, must receive adequate training to ensure the safe operation of these dangerous machines.
A 40-year-old employee recently lost his life while he was a temporary employee of a construction company involved in a project at a wind energy center. It was reported that he was the operator of a rough terrain crane that traveled dangerously close to the road’s edge, causing the 90-ton machine to roll over. He died at the accident scene.
OSHA is investigating this Nebraska accident and reported that it would also investigate allegations that area roads remain open and no warnings of the potential dangers are posted while workers are in the area. The agency asserts that workplace accidents such as this one are avoidable if safety regulations are observed. It was also revealed that this construction company was cited previously when an employee got trapped between a pickup truck and a semi-trailer.
Not only will this worker be sadly missed by his family, but they will also suffer the financial consequences. End-of-life expenses are known to be high, and the loss of his income contribution to the family may be crippling. Fortunately, the workers’ compensation insurance fund provides death benefits to the surviving family members of those who have died after suffering a fatal on-the-job injury.
Source: omaha.com, “Man killed when crane rolls near Elgin, Nebraska“, Alia Conley, May 28, 2015