Construction Worker Fatally Injured by Backhoe at Austin Construction Site

According to KXAN, a construction worker sustained a fatal workplace injury after being hit by a backhoe in Austin, Texas, on Friday afternoon.

About the Fatal Construction Accident

Officials say a deadly construction accident occurred at 8325 Pearson Ranch Road, near the Round Rock ISD West Transportation Facility at around 3:00 p.m. A man was clearing land with a backhoe when he hit a bump and was tossed in front of the machine.

KXAN reports that the man was then run over and killed by the construction machine. Emergency crews pronounced the man dead at the scene of the accident. The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fatal work accident with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, reports KXAN. At this time, deputies do not believe foul play was a factor in the incident.

On the Job Accident Statistics

The following information regarding on the job accidents is provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):

• A total of 4,836 fatal workplace injuries occurred in 2015.
• The overall rate of fatal work injury for workers in 2015 was lower than the previous year.
• 937 workers in the private construction industry died on the job in 2015.
• In 2015, there were 2,054 fatal workplace injuries due to transportation-related incidents.