While placing concrete on the 7th floor of a new hotel in Houston, TX, 16 construction workers were suddenly sent falling to the 6th floor below, sending 9 of them to the hospital, according to local news reports.
A total of 15 workers were on the slab as it fell and the ones that were lucky enough to avoid the hospital were treated for minor injuries at the scene. None of the hospitalized workers’ injuries are expected to be life threatening. Click2Houston reported that Fire Department Officials said the injuries sustained included broken wrists, a broken arm, and a dislocated shoulder.
The Houston Fire Department initially listed 8 men being transported to the hospital, but later increased that number to 9.
HFD is transporting 8 construction workers from the 3400 block of N Main after the building’s roof collapsed. The workers are being transported to Ben Taub and St. Joseph. @FireChiefofHFD pic.twitter.com/Us1xda0kNS
— Houston Fire Dept (@HoustonFire) July 29, 2019
According to ABC13, initial reports from a Houston Public Works (HPW) were that the inspector believes the shoring was “inadequate.” The HPW official said that the contractor was up-to-date on permitting and inspections.
The building, located in downtown Houston, will end up being an eight story Holiday Inn hotel, when completed, says Click2Houston.
If the shoring does end up being the root cause of the incident, you have to wonder why this issue did not present itself during the pours of the first 6 levels. It’s a good lesson that as soon as you let your guard down, an incident can happen in a blink of an eye. Utilizing a Pre-Pour Checklist is always a good idea to make sure your crews will achieve a safe and quality pour each and every time.
You can watch ABC13’s footage of the Fire Department rescues in the video below
On Tuesday morning, February 23, the Syracuse Fire Department responded to a call about a collapsed crane on a construction site near the university. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.