Top 5 Worst Construction Accidents That Rocked the Industry
Even though the construction business has strong safety regulations, some companies have violated rules, which has resulted in horrific injuries and fatalities from accidents. Consequently, many renowned building disasters around the United States are sharp reminders of the repercussions of safety failings and the significance of following safety laws to prevent such tragedies.
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5. Big Blue Crane Collapse
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 14, 1999, a vast crane imploded during the building process of a large baseball stadium. A fatal catastrophe occurred during the construction of Miller Park, today known as American Family Field. Accordingly, a 400-ton roof piece was being lifted by the 'Big Blue' crane that day. The crane could not support its weight due to severe winds and heavy load. Yet, three ironworkers observed the manifest from a platform located below. The men were killed when the crane fell to the ground and collided with the platform on which they were working.
4. New York Crane Collapse
During construction on March 15, 2008, a crane that was owned by New York Crane & Equipment and stood at a height of 200 feet fell, resulting in the deaths of seven workers and injuries to 24 others. When workers affixed a new steel collar to the building to permanently secure it, a catastrophic accident occurred in the construction industry. After conducting an investigation, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found that the instructions provided by the crane manufacturer Favco for lifting a stabilizing collar to the ninth-floor level were not followed, and only half of the suggested polyester slings were deployed. The failure of the overloaded slings caused the collar to fall, which in turn caused two lower-level collars to become dislodged from the building. As a result, the crane was left without any lateral support, making it possible to tumble over.
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3 West Fertilizer Company Explosion
A fertilizer plant in Texas experienced an explosion in 2013, which resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals and injuries to over 160 others. The catastrophe was brought on by an oversight in the storage and management of ammonium nitrate, a highly explosive substance utilized in fertilizer production. In the aftermath of the tragedy, significant modifications were made to the regulations governing the storage and management of ammonium nitrate.
2. Granite Mountain/Speculator Mine Disaster
In 1917, a fire occurred in the Granite Mountain/Speculator Mine in Butte, Montana, which led to the fatalities of 168 miners. Aside from highlighting the risks associated with hard rock mining, the accident was brought on by an accumulation of combustible debris and an absence of adequate ventilation. As mentioned, the Bureau of Mines and new safety standards for the mining industry were established as a direct result of the disaster.
1. PBS Coals Mine Explosion
In 1907, 362 laborers were killed in a coal mine explosion in Monongah, West Virginia. A buildup of methane gas was thought to have been the cause of the tragedy. However, the exact reason for the disaster was never wholly recognized. In addition to being one of the most catastrophic mining catastrophes in the history of the United States, the disaster was also responsible for establishing the United States Bureau of Mines and implementing new safety standards for the coal mining sector.
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