The construction industry is one of the most dangerous to work in. Out of every 5,000 private industry worker fatalities, construction accidents account for 20%. In the construction industry, there are accidents that are defined as the “fatal four.” These are falls, being struck by an object, electrocution and being caught in something or between two objects. Companies with fewer than 10 employees and self-employed workers account for nearly half of all fatalities on construction sites. The construction industry has the most fatal falls, making up 51% of all falls. Non-fatal injuries in the construction industry are 71% higher than any other industry.
The Engineering News Record reports that a fifth worker has been killed on Orlando’s I-4 Ultimate job site.
On September 28, 37-year-old Ulises Jesus Corrales Ibarra was killed by a falling concrete beam. He was a worker at the I-4 Ultimate project in Orlando. SGL contractors voluntarily stopped work on the 21-mile-long project that is expected to cost $2.3 billion.
The contractor said that following a complete review of safety protocols on their work sites. This could be as early as October 2nd.
The incident report by Orlando Police indicated that when officers arrived, they noted a concrete beam pinning the construction worker, who appeared to be deceased. They also reported that a construction crane had been tipped on its side.
The Florida Department of Transportation is awaiting a full accounting from the contractor as to the cause of the accident. They will also require that preventative measures be put into place to prevent any further deaths on the project.
The contractor has hired a forensic engineer to look into the causes of the accident.
This death marks the 5th death on the project since 2016.
