Deaths Caused by Construction the Industrial Age

Falls in Construction

Though less common now due to safety laws and practices, falls were a common cause of death among workers.

In Memory of JOHN MCQUILLAN Who Departed this Life June 14th 1829 Aged 18 years & 8 months. The death of this lovely promising youth was occasioned by a fall from a scaffold. **taken from headstone inscription

Falling is the action of a person or animal losing stability and ending up in a lower position, often on the ground. It is the second-leading cause of accidental death worldwide and a major cause of personal injury, especially for the elderly. Falls in older adults are a major class of preventable injuries. Construction workers, electricians, miners, and painters are occupations with high rates of fall injuries. **place-holder text from Wikipedia article on falling

IN 1840, ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL’S famous London to Bristol Great Western Railway arrived at Reading. So it could reach the town, the railway builders made a cutting nearly two miles long and up to 60 feet deep through high ground at Sonning. Several men were killed or injured digging this cutting. But what’s perhaps the railway’s most unusual death was the result of a bizarre weather event. On March 24, just six days before the opening of Reading’s new station, a freak whirlwind killed rail worker Henry West. The highly unusual mini-tornado ripped off a four-ton section of the station roof. Henry, a 24-year-old carpenter from Wiltshire who was fixing the glazing of the roof at the time, was hurled to his death. His broken body was found 200 feet away in a ditch. A few days later his funeral was held at the nearby St Laurence church. It was attended by more than 40 of his fellow workmen, some of whom erected a wooden marker (known as a “rail”) on his grave to commemorate him. **place-holder text from AtlasObscura

In Memory of JOSEPH WORDSWORTH, plumber, late of York, who died 10th March, 1863, aged 27 years. His death was caused by a fall from the triumphal arch, while engaged in its erection, in crown street, Halifax, on the occasion of the marriage of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. This stone was erected by the trade and friends of the deceased, as a tribute of respect to his memory. **taken from headstone inscription

 

 

Falling Objects Killing non-workers

“In remembrance of Jo (Bentley) aged 4 years & 8 months, son of Job & Emma Bentley of this town, and who on returning from school on the 24th of May, 1860, was instantly killed by a fall of planks carelessly piled in Delph Street.” **taken from headstone inscription

Falling is the action of a person or animal losing stability and ending up in a lower position, often on the ground. It is the second-leading cause of accidental death worldwide and a major cause of personal injury, especially for the elderly. Falls in older adults are a major class of preventable injuries. Construction workers, electricians, miners, and painters are occupations with high rates of fall injuries. **place-holder text from Wikipedia article on falling