The University of Central Florida is adding a 600 bed housing facility. The site of that facility saw a serious construction accident this week, as a concrete slab fell over and pinned two construction workers. Two other workers were also injured when the slab they were lowering dropped unexpectedly. It is still not clear what caused the concrete piece to fall.
The accident occurred on Monday morning at approximately 9:30 a.m. The facility, which is scheduled to open in time for the school year next fall, is located at the Lockwood Boulevard and McCullouch Road intersection. Construction at the site has been suspended by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in order for them to complete an inquiry and determine the cause of the accident. Finfrock Construction is the company overseeing the project. UCF is not involved in the construction of the facility and does not actually own the building.
Three of the men injured were taken to Orlando Regional Hospital. The fourth was taken to Florida Hospital East. One of the men suffered serious head, neck and back injuries when he was pinned by the concrete slab. Finfrock Construction has issues a statement expressing their concern over the accident.
Construction work is among the most dangerous occupations in America. OSHA maintains strict regulations designed to ensure worker safety and hold employers accountable for the safety practices that protect their workers. Countless injuries and deaths are caused every year when safety regulations are not followed.
Source: Central Florida Future, “Workers injured in construction accident near UCF,” by Jason Daniels, 3 December 2012
