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5 workers injured in Oklahoma elevator collapse

Five workers were injured when a construction elevator collapsed and crashed to the ground on a job site in Tulsa, Oklahoma, recently. Now, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as the Oklahoma labor department, are investigating to determine just what happened.

In the incident, the construction elevator and scaffolding that surrounds it toppled over, which occurred as the elevator supports were in the process of being removed.

The workers were on top of the elevator, according to a spokesman for the Tulsa Fire Department.

The injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to the fire department. Some of the injured workers were bleeding, and there could have been some broken bones. Two of the workers who appeared to be the most seriously injured were taken to the hospital immediately.

The building, along Cincinnati Avenue, will be turned into a hotel. The elevator was being used to transport workers and their lightweight tools between the floors.

The street was open to drivers, but no cars were hit in the incident.

The contractor on the project released this statement in the immediate aftermath:

“Today, an unfortunate accident occurred during the removal of a lift hoist at our Tulsa Club project located in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Our thoughts go out to our colleagues at Freedom Scaffold who were injured during the incident. Thankfully, no one sustained a life threatening injury, and we are working with the appropriate authorities to secure and clean the site. During this time, please keep those who were injured in your thoughts.”

The workers were extremely lucky that their injuries were not more serious. Still, they are entitled to collect workers’ compensation should they need to miss time from work as they recover, and their medical bills also should be paid for. An attorney experienced in similar cases can offer assistance.

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