Unstable Bridge Collapses Too Soon

A railroad company needed to have a vehicle bridge removed quickly from above a track. The structure was starting to disintegrate and shift because of soil erosion. A crew of four was demolishing the bridge, located about 25 feet (7.62 meters) above the track. At the time this fatality occurred, the central flooring had been removed, and two workers were standing on the remaining wooden walkway. They felt the bridge move. The supervisor also noticed the movement and yelled to the men to get off the bridge. One ran to safety and the other fell with the bridge when it collapsed. He died of injuries about 10 days later.

Demolition is similar to construction and just as dangerous – often more so. Before employees go to work, structures to be demolished should be checked by an engineer for their condition and the possibility of unplanned collapse.