Worker Crushed in San Diego Bridge Support Collapse

May 16, 2002
The first day on the job for a crane operator at the construction site of the San Diego Trolley is one he will never forget.

A coworker was killed when the crane struck a cable that was holding up the steel frame for a bridge support, causing the cable to snap. The steel frame collapsed.

Two of the three workers who were on the bridge support were able to jump off, suffering minor injuries. The third worker, Rosendo Luna, was unable to jump free and was crushed.

A construction foreman told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he was giving hand signals to the crane operator, but claimed the operator was looking away.

"He was looking up in the air and revving it up to full throttle," the foreman, who was not identified, told the paper.

Cal-OSHA is one the scene, but investigators would not comment on possible causes of the accident.

"Everyone at MTDB offers its condolences to the family of the victim," said Nancy Irwin, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Transit Development Board.

Washington Infrastructure Services Inc. is the managing contractor on the project, which is part of a 5.9-mile trolley extension that will run from Qualcomm Stadium through San Diego State University to connect with an existing trolley line. Modern Continental, the project''s primary contractor, operated the crane. Subcontractor Pacific Coast Steel Inc. is building the framing for the bridge support.

by Sandy Smith ([email protected])

Sponsored Recommendations

3 Essential Elements for a Strong Safety Culture

March 13, 2024
Organizations globally have increased their attention on safety culture: trying to figure out what it really is and the aspects that are necessary to develop and sustain it. And...

Making the Case for Occupational Health Software

March 13, 2024
Deciding to invest in Occupational Health (OH) software can be a challenging leap for many organizations. This article will equip businesses with insightful strategies for effectively...

Fighting the Flu: Solutions for the Workplace

March 13, 2024
Seasonal flu continues to wreak considerable havoc both on individual wellness, as well as on our business continuity and productivity. Explore these solutions for protecting ...

Preventing SIFs with Digitization: Reduce Serious Injuries and Fatalities with Technology

March 13, 2024
This eBook discusses the origins of SIF prevention, outlines principles, models and tools available to EHS leaders to better detect and address SIF potential in their business...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EHS Today, create an account today!