A construction worker was rescued from a 10-foot deep trench in the Bronx after it collapsed on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021.
The worker, who is still unidentified, had been trying to clear a waste pipe at a construction site in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, on Mosholu Avenue and 256th Street, when the trench collapsed and he was buried up to his knees.
The rescue required intense care and patience. According to FDNY Deputy Chief Michael Brown, the rescue took some time because it was in such a tight space. “One of the hardest things was just being patient…and having our firefighters work in the trench…and have it be a slow but a safe operation,” he said.
Finally, after two hours, a board that had been pinning the worker down was removed and he was pulled from the trench. The worker was reportedly alert during the rescue and was able to respond to firefighters. He was immediately transported to Jacobi Medical Center for evaluation. His condition is still unclear.
We wish this worker a speedy and full recovery after this harrowing experience.
Although we do not know the specific cause of the collapse, we do know that there are laws and regulations in place that are meant to prevent trench collapses like these. For example, the New York Industrial Code states that any trench that is five feet (or more) deep has to have walls that are properly shored and braced. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has the same rule, in addition to other requirements for trench safety, including:
- Making sure a competent person inspects the trench before anyone enters to ensure there are no hazards
- Keeping heavy equipment away from the edges of the trench, and identifying any other threats to the trench’s stability
- Not working in a trench under any suspended or raised materials
These are just a few of OSHA’s requirements for trench safety. It is clear that trenches can be hazardous work environments if safety regulations are not followed.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a trench collapse, and you believe it was caused by another party’s negligence, you may be legally entitled to compensation. The personal injury attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy have successfully handled numerous construction accident cases for clients, with results including:
- $5,500,000 settlement for a construction worker who suffered a variety of injuries and complications after he was struck by a rotating excavator and pinned against a piece of steel sheeting
- $4,250,000 settlement for a 40-year-old union excavator who was knocked to the bottom of a 12-foot trench when he was struck by stacks of falling plywood
- $3,075,000 result for a union plumber who was working in a trench when he was struck by a load of gravel that fell 10-15 feet, resulting in herniated discs and other injuries
- $2,100,000 settlement for a worker who suffered traumatic injuries after he was buried up to his waist in a trench that had improperly shored walls
Call 212-736-5300 to discuss your case with an expert attorney today. We serve New York and New Jersey.