Worker Dies After Fall From Bridge Caused By Towboat Collision

A bridge worker died Thursday when a towboat pushing barges struck the Eads Bridge in St. Louis.

The 24-year-old was sandblasting the bridge when the collision occurred. He fell from the scaffolding, landing on the platform of the towboat. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The victim’s name has not been released yet, but according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), he worked for Missouri-based Thomas Industrial Coatings.

According to OSHA reports, this is not the first time a Thomas Industrial Coatings worker has been killed on the job in scaffolding accidents. In fact, in 2006, three workers were killed in three separate incidents.

• In February 2006, four workers were on a scaffolding platform beneath the Jefferson Barrack Bridge when it collapsed. One worker was killed in the incident.
• In May 2006, an employee died after he fell through a hole in the decking of scaffolding on the Lexington Avenue Bridge in Kansas City.
• In July 2006, another worker died after falling from the same bridge.

Scaffolding accidents are one of the most common causes of injuries among construction workers. These temporary structures are often not well-planned or designed with worker safety in mind.

Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers has helped hundreds of employees injured while working with scaffolds. If you have been injured or a loved one was killed in a construction accident involving scaffolding, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury. Please contact SMSH today for a free consultation with one of our Houston Texas construction accident attorneys.