Saturday, May 16, 2015

WORKER CRUSHED TO DEATH BY A 7.5 TON CONCRETE SLAB WHEN CREWS WERE UNLOADING HIS TRUCK AT A SITE FOR THE I-295 EXPANSION PROJECT IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA













MAY 16, 2015

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

Several agencies are investigating an incident that left one construction worker dead on Thursday. 42-year-old Alexander Cordova was crushed by a 7.5 ton concrete slab when crews were unloading his truck at a site for the I-295 Expansion Project. He was crushed when part of a sound barrier wall fell off his loading truck.

"They talk about safety on a regular basis," said Ron Tittle with FDOT. "They go through training all the time."

OSHA spent several hours investigating on the site where Cordova was killed to make sure procedures were followed and the material being used was in proper condition.

The site, which is usually crowded with workers, was nearly deserted on Friday.
"It's unfortunate and our hearts go out to the family," said Tittle.

Tittle said the expansion project is still moving forward as planned despite the incident. OSHA said they want to make sure there were no rules violated that could have prevented the tragedy from happening in the first place.

Cordova worked for Big Ben Trucking out of Tampa, the subcontracting company hired by the site's general contractor Prince. Both companies declined to comment.

"Our construction company will naturally do their own investigation as well with all the necessary paperwork," said Tittle.

This isn't the first time the 295 Expansion Project has come under scrutiny. Back in January some trees that were being cut down to make room for the barrier walls fell on top of cars in a nearby apartment complex in Mandarin.

"Every time they come out here I move my car," said Audrea Jones, a resident of the complex. "I used to park in that spot over there but I started moving my car now because I was afraid something would happen."

Like many people who live nearby Jones said it's not only a hazard, but the it's loud and allows for no privacy.

"That's actually why I'm looking to relocate, I am concerned about the privacy and the safety because we are so exposed now. Anything else can happen being that our community is so close to the road here."

OSHA said the only other incidents reported on the expansion project were calls from concerned drivers who said workers looked unsafe in deep trenches but they ruled those claims unfounded.