It will likely be some time before residents of the state of Pennsylvania forget the tragic building collapse that took the lives of six residents of the state and injured another 13. One woman lost her legs as a result of the incident. The accident occurred when a building wall that was being demolished at a construction site fell onto a neighboring building housing a Salvation Army. Those injured in the incident were both workers at the Salvation Army, as well as shoppers. 

Recently, the 49-year-old man who was responsible for the demolition was charged with multiple crimes including several counts of involuntary manslaughter and third-degree murder. This recent charge is in addition to the involuntary manslaughter charge the subcontractor who was operating the machinery used in the demolition.

The district attorney responsible for the prosecution said that the fatal construction site accident occurred as a result of the contractor cutting corners. Reports indicate that he was seeking to salvage as much building material as possible and had a deadline he was trying to meet.

Regardless of the type of work one does it is important that employers do what they can to keep workplaces safe. When proper safety measures are not taken it is possible that incidents such as this one could occur. Such incidents are not good for all involved. When workers are hurt and survive they may be permanently injured or spend a long period of time recovering. In addition such incidents are expensive for employers who pay for workers' compensation policies that provide benefits to injured workers.

Source: Associated Press, "Contractor charged with murder, manslaughter in Philadelphia building collapse that killed 6," MaryClaire Doyle, Nov. 25, 2013