Another worksite accident occurred last June 10, 2009, this time, three construction workers fell to their deaths from a scaffolding that collapsed in West Campus. The incident happened in the construction site of a luxury, high-rise residential condominium neighboring the University of Texas. The reasons for the collapse of the supposed-to-be secure scaffold as well as its fall height or plunge distance are still unknown. The names of the victims, four in all with one attaining only minor injuries, are yet to be released.

The scaffoldings erected in the said construction site were reported to be unstable and not secure for working, but official reports of what and how things happened exactly that Wednesday are yet to be stated. As of press time, the scaffolding contractor, the project’s developer, and the building owner, have all refused to comment. OSHA and local police are now looking into the incident, with the deaths being investigated as an industrial accident.

The opening of the new condominium was set this summer, but with the recent accident and the investigations still to be done, its opening might be delayed. A consultant to the building owner, MacArthur Management LLC, has however stated that they are now looking after the victims’ families.

Another factor which will be looked into on this incident is the reported lack of worker training, as Texas’ construction workers are not required to have training before working on a scaffold. The same does not apply in most states. This, of course, is evidence of a slack in implementation, on top of the already weak state regulations. The state of Texas has been known for such construction site accidents.

The thing we can learn from this, time and again, is that safety should always be given a premium. This, of course, starts with the proper implementation of safety regulations so that workers can—and will—be protected on the jobsite or in their workplaces. Success will not be one way, however, as workers also need to be vigilant as well as to work hand in hand with various safety agencies to ensure that safety is always upheld in their worksite.