Many Colorado workers face numerous life-threatening hazards at work. Fatal occupational injuries are often associated with the construction industry, but dangerous conditions exist in all workplace environments. A metal worker recently lost his life after suffering a fatal workplace injury while he was working at a scrap yard in a neighboring state.
The police were reportedly called to the scene of an explosion shortly after noon on a recent Wednesday. According to a report, a 46-year-old worker was tasked with cutting up a mixed lot of metal. He was apparently unaware of the presence of an MK-82 bomb that was within the lot on which he was working. He was reportedly using a cutting torch, and it was determined that the hot sparks from the torch set off the explosion when he cut into the bomb.
The death of this worker is being investigated by federal authorities. They will determine the source of the bomb and the reason for it being among other scrap. Furthermore, investigators will evaluate the company’s compliance with prescribed safety regulations.
Workers in Colorado and other states are typically covered by the workers’ compensation insurance program, which provides financial relief for an injured worker and the immediate family of anyone who died after suffering a fatal workplace injury. While no amount of money can ever fill the void left by a loved one’s unexpected death, the death benefits provided by the insurance program may ease the financial burden. Survivor benefits typically include coverage of expenses related to end-of-life arrangements along with a percentage of the victim’s lost wages.
Source: NBC News, “Scrap Yard Worker Killed by Military Bomb Blast ID’d“, Phil Helsel, Sept. 24, 2015