Controlled Construction Blast Sends Rocks, Debris Flying
Explosives are commonly used to break away concrete and rock in large construction projects. A controlled blast on a planned subway line in Manhattan last week sent rocks and debris flying through the air, damaging nearby buildings and frightening those around.
According to the Associated Press,
Construction workers were blasting through rock to create an escalator for Manhattan’s planned Second Avenue subway line Tuesday when two 1,800-pound steel plates were lifted into the air, raining debris onto the street.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority capital construction president Michael Horodniceanu (ohr-rohd-nee-chee-AN’-oh) says the cover was supposed to absorb the pressure but didn’t.
He said Wednesday the plates weren’t properly secured to the ground.
The transit authority is hiring an independent safety consultant to review conditions at the site.
Fortunately, no one was injured. Windows were broken and buildings received minor damage, but the accident could have been much worse.
When dealing with explosives and other dangerous materials, construction workers must take extra precautions. When an accident happens because safety measures were either overlooked or intentionally sidestepped, the results can be catastrophic.
While construction companies could use mechanical means to break through concrete and rock, it would take an incredible amount of time. Using controlled blasts in populated areas, however, requires an extreme adherence to safety protocol to avoid serious injury accidents.
Contact a New York/New Jersey Construction Accident Lawyer
At Ginarte, our New York and New Jersey construction accident attorneys know you work in a dangerous field. Every time you go to work, you are faced with new risks. And while you might do everything in your power to stay safe, accidents sometimes happen.
When you are hurt in a construction accident, you need someone on your side. Your employers may be concerned for your well-being, but they also are concerned about their bottom line. When your health is on the line, cost should not be an issue.
Contact our New York and New Jersey construction injury attorneys today by calling (888) Ginarte. We can discuss your case and the legal options available to you.
