Baltimore bridge workers’ deaths highlight dangers of essential jobs

The apparent deaths of six road workers on the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore have spotlighted the risks associated with essential work, especially for low-income and immigrant workers.

An eight-man construction crew was on the scene early Tuesday on a night shift repairing the road when the 1,000-foot container ship Dali crashed into the bridge.

The collapse occurred so quickly that workers did not even have time to attempt evacuation.

“Tragically six people lost their lives and a seventh was seriously injured. These were workers who had gone out on night shifts to repair the road surface while most of us were sleeping.” Secretary of Transportation Buttigieg said at a White House briefing on Wednesday.

While the unusual circumstances of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse were unpredictable, road construction zones become increasingly dangerous each year.

by National Work Area Safety Information ClearinghouseThere were 874 fatal accidents in work zones in 2021, up from 780 the previous year and up from 536 in 2013, a 10-year low.

In 2021, 956 people died and 42,000 people were injured in these crashes, even though vehicle miles traveled remained relatively stagnant compared to the previous year.

“Safety is DOT’s top priority, and as we work to eliminate traffic fatalities, that must include work zones,” a Department of Transportation spokesperson told The Hill.

“The bipartisan Infrastructure Act’s historic investments in rebuilding roads, bridges, and highways are bringing more workers to these jobs across the country. Our efforts and the efforts of our partners include: [the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials]Making roads and work areas safer will be more important than ever. ”

The infrastructure bill includes $15.6 billion for highway safety improvement programs, including $5 billion for programs that provide safe streets and roads for all.

Still, road work is inherently dangerous and puts workers in a position where they are prone to accidents with passing vehicles.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not release specific numbers on road worker deaths, but it includes related occupations such as construction, motor vehicle driving, and material handling. Deadliest job in the USalong with agriculture, fishing, and forestry.

In 2022, the death rate for all U.S. workers per 100,000 was 3.7. There were 23.5 deaths per 100,000 workers in agriculture, fishing and forestry, 14.6 deaths per 100,000 in transport and movement of materials, and 13 per 100,000 in construction and mining.

Federal Highway Administration Data shows that 20,000 workers were injured in road construction zones every year from 2003 to 2008, and 106 died in 2010.

and BLS data The mortality rate for black and Latino workers was also higher than the mortality rate for workers overall. Traffic accidents were the leading cause of death for both groups, accounting for 278 deaths for black workers and 439 for Latino workers in 2022.

Like the eight on the Francis Scott Key Bridge, foreign-born Latino workers accounted for 792 of the 1,248 deaths in all occupations and 316 of the 792 deaths among Hispanic construction workers.

“This is a reminder that immigrants play a central role on the front lines of our economy. Our country is a hypocritical nation that continues to exploit and exploit immigrants, while at the same time supporting domestic extremists. ‘s anti-immigrant rhetoric. And it has to stop,” said Hector Sánchez, president of the Hispanic political advocacy group Mi Familia Vota.

Two of the workers, Honduran-born Maynor Suazo Sandoval and El Salvador-born Miguel Luna, were members of CASA, an immigrant advocacy group with deep roots in Maryland.

Others, including those from Guatemala and Mexico, have not been identified. Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador said early Wednesday that the families of the two Mexican men have requested privacy and do not wish to be made public.

CASA executive director Gustavo Torres said Wednesday that Suazo Sandoval and Luna’s family had agreed to be identified, but asked for privacy going forward.

“Maynor and Miguel are just two stories, two concrete examples of the thousands of Baltimoreans who contribute to this beautiful country,” Torres said.

“At a time when there is so much hatred against immigrant communities, we look to Mr. Maynor and Mr. Miguel for their quiet leadership and how they support our society to ensure the well-being of Americans. I am grateful.”

For supporters, the bridge’s death is a reminder of the whiplash immigrants felt as public debate shifted from recognition of immigrants’ social and economic contributions to anti-immigrant political rhetoric. It is.

“This is part of the nature of schizophrenia that allows people to: [former President] Tolerating President Trump and his anti-immigrant rhetoric fuels the pendulum swing in our politics. At some point during the pandemic, we realized that we are essential. We helped this country recover from that. And now we are being vilified as people, we are being vilified,” said Greisa Martinez Rosas, executive director of immigrant youth advocacy group United We Dream.