A 34-year-old Maryland construction worker died in a construction accident a few weeks ago. An employee of W.F. Wilson & Sons Inc., the man was working at a residential construction site when an excavator hit him in the head. These large machines range in size from several tons to several hundred tons of...
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Washington DC Pedestrian or Cyclist Accidents Occur 8-10 Times a Day, Several Websites Report
Several websites and blogs have been reporting on the frequency of pedestrian or cyclist accidents in the DC metro area. Some sites have created interactive maps that show the locations of the accidents. Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS maintain a Twitter site where they recently reported that there are 8-10 pedestrian accidents...
Read MoreArlington Construction Worker Dies after Falling 7 Stories While Installing Balcony Railing
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that falls from heights are responsible for one-third of construction fatalities. Employers could have prevented many of these. Safety precautions that save lives are no mystery. Such things as personal fall arrest systems, guardrails, harnesses, and safety nets make construction work safer. Too often, however, workers...
Read MoreFederal Safety Board Blasts DC Metro for Negligent Safety Attitude and Defective Machinery
The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) recently completed its investigation of the DC Metro accident that killed nine people in June of 2009. The accident occurred just after 5 p.m. during the busy rush hour commute home. A red line Metro train slammed into the back of another one outside of Fort...
Read More3 Kids Hurt at Popular Maryland Amusement Park, State Safety Officials to Investigate
For the most part, amusement parks and roller coasters are a safe way for a family to get outside and have fun. Government agencies and park management regularly inspect rides to ensure that park visitors are not at risk. Despite these safety efforts, however, injuries frequently occur at amusement parks and on roller coaster...
Read MoreDC-Based Chemical Safety Board Sent to Pennsylvania to Investigate 2 Deaths in Explosion at Zinc Plant
Representatives from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, a Washington, D.C.-based federal agency, recently visited a zinc plant in Pennsylvania after an explosion killed two workers and injured two more. The two killed were members of the United Steelworkers Local 8183 union and died as a result of suffocation from smoke inhalation. If unsafe...
Read MoreArea Officials Warn of Fire Dangers and Accidents Associated with Fourth of July Fireworks
Every year on the Fourth of July, as Americans celebrate the anniversary of their independence, thousands of them are hurt in fireworks-related accidents. In 2008, hospitals treated approximately 7,000 people in emergency rooms for such accidents. More than half of those treated were children. Seven people died that year in fireworks accidents. A...
Read MoreProtesters Decry Canadian Government’s Efforts to Re-Open Asbestos Mine
A few weeks ago, protesters took to the streets around the world in front of Canadian embassies. The protests took place in South Korea, Hong Kong, Belgium and American cities, such as Washington, D.C. and New York City. The reason for the protests is the Canadian government’s decision to re-open and expand the Jeffrey...
Read MoreVirginia Cities Installing Traffic Cameras, Accidents Expected to Increase
Red light cameras will soon be issuing tickets in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. Arlington and Alexandria have already installed the cameras, and, next month, Arlington will begin issuing tickets. Cities install the cameras citing improved safety and a better respect for traffic laws, but some statistics paint a different picture. The cameras...
Read MoreA Year After Deadliest Metro Crash, Safety Improvements Still Slow to Come
The one-year anniversary of the deadliest accident in the history of the Washington Metro passed by a few weeks ago. It appears that the accident prompted a lot of talk but little action. President Obama pushed for federal oversight legislation, but that has stalled in...
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