Constructing, inspecting and maintaining institutional and commercial facilities can be risky business, given the presence of electrical systems, hazardous materials and the need to use large equipment. As two recent tragedies make clear, the work can even be fatal.
In Boston, one construction worker was killed recently after being trapped by a skid steer loader at Brockton Hospital, according to the Boston Herald. Authorities said the man, identified as Roger Porter of East Sandwich, was pronounced dead on scene.
Porter was not driving the construction vehicle when the accident took place, but rather, the 63-year-old was leveling out gravel as it was being put into a pit.
Massachusetts State Police confirmed a piece of construction equipment had struck the victim, resulting in his death. LMA Services Co. is receiving an inspection from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration following the accident.
In Texas, at least one person is dead and three are injured after a portion of a roof collapsed at a high school, according to USA Today. Three construction workers were transported to local hospitals after the roof above a gym at Friendswood High School collapsed while under construction.
One worker was pronounced dead at the scene, and the school district said there were no students or staff in the area when the roof collapsed.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor of the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
