Answer

Accident Description

A falling sheet of rock debris hit two journeymen electricians as they were tying in electrical panel boards on the 10th floor of a high-rise condominium building. The two electricians suffered injuries from debris that the drywall contractor workers installed on the 11th floor of the 14 storied high building. The impact of this debris on the victims was the primary cause of the accident. From the analysis, this was a severe accident because one of them incurred cuts on-site while his colleague suffered a critical head injury that requires immediate medical attention. They were both rushed to the healthcare institution by EMS. 

Accident Findings 

After a critical and in-depth analysis of the facts on the ground, the hazardous condition that led to the accident and resulting injuries were unsafe work practices and procedures by the people involved. From the assessment, the electricians were installing wires on a floor lower than the drywall contractors. Safety measures require that all employees understand the groups working on the same project simultaneously to avoid unnecessary accidents. Had the contractors known about the operations on the 10th floor, they would have incorporated the necessary precautions to enhance their safety. There are several possibilities tied to this occurrence. First, it might be an act of negligence from the project managers as the workers did not anticipate any of these events. Workers should have been given prior warnings of multiple constructions on the site to ensure they are fully aware of the likely dangers to each other. Additionally, had the worker who suffered head injury been in protective headgear, he would not have incurred the pain and deadly aftermath. 

Corrective Action 

There are diverse short- and long-term safety interventions that can be incorporated to prevent an accident from occurring again by eliminating hazardous situations, unsafe work practices, and root causes. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), one out of every five workplace deaths in construction. To avoid this, construction managers should offer safety training to all workers handling the task on a building project concerning the safety standards and likely hazards they may encounter while on the job (Zhang, Jiang, Fang, & Anumba, 2019). Workers should be allowed to undertake a review of the health and safety policies for any task they are involved in and its dangers. 

Holding frequent crew safety meetings is an ideal option, especially in this scenario where high-risk work was being conducted. As a safety precaution, future projects must incorporate protective clothing and gear such as hard hats to reduce the impact of head injuries, high-visibility clothing, protective suits, steel-toed shoes, gloves, and goggles (Zhang, Jiang, Fang, & Anumba, 2019). The work regions should be maintained well and kept free of unnecessary debris. For instance, this scenario would have been avoided if contractors had kept the space debris-free. Construction sites should also ensure that fall protection systems are installed as a measure of protecting all workers. Debris can be prevented from falling using guardrails, canopy structures, screens, toe boards, or nets, which must be appropriately constructed to accommodate the weight load. 

According to the OSHA guidelines, it would be necessary to recognize the likely hazards that can develop on-site and develop a strategic plan in the future. Before any future projects are initiated, site managers must assess for any unusual events through risk assessment to safeguard workers’ health and safety (Zhang, Jiang, Fang, & Anumba, 2019). Upon completing the analysis, a list of preventive interventions should be introduced and implemented right away. It is also vital to ensure that all site workers receive adequate information, education, and training on these possibilities and the best ways of managing situations (Zhang, Jiang, Fang, & Anumba, 2019). In the future, workers and managers should comply with OSHA guidelines and alarm any harmful working conditions. Employers and employees who do not adhere to these guidelines increase the dangers of construction site injuries. 

Employers will be contacted concerning the recommended strategies and course of actions to ensure compliance and follow-up. According to the 2012 Health & Safety Handbook regulations, all employers are obliged to care for the safety and overall well-being of a contractor’s workers when partaking their duties on the worksite. Therefore, the employer for the project will be tasked to ensure adherence to these precaution measures and confirm that the management staff involved understands that action has been taken to remedy the hazardous condition (Zhang, Jiang, Fang, & Anumba, 2019). The employer is also responsible for making a follow up on the admitted patients and ensure they are all safe and well taken care of. Any future occurrences out of acts of negligence will be assessed, and have the employers held responsibly.