BOSTON–Construction remains one of the most deadly industries for Massachusetts workers, stated the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH) . The comment comes one day after a 50-year-old Massachusetts man was killed Wednesday after a concrete wall collapsed in Medford, MA.
News reports state the worker was fatally injured at 786 Highland Ave. just before 3 p.m. The man was reported to be working by the foundation of the building when it collapsed, striking him. He died of his injuries shortly after at Mass. General Hospital.
The event closely mirrors the death of Mark Camire, killed working at a Woburn Public Library construction site July 11 when a rock stuck him while he was working alongside the building foundation.
According to MassCOSH’s 2017 report ‘Dying for Work in Massachusetts,’ the construction industry remains the most dangerous for workers, with 25 fatalities occurring in 2016, 40% of total workers killed in the state that year.
“Given the highly similar deaths we have seen lately involving building foundations, employers need to be vigilant about instituting all safety measures to protect workers from this proven hazard, workers’ health and safety is one hundred percent their responsibility.” said MassCOSH Executive Director Jodi Sugerman-Brozan. “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and co-workers of our lost brother. MassCOSH will continue to fight for good safe jobs until every worker can return home from work safe and healthy every day.”
