ABSTRACT
History has shown worker fatality as a normal part of doing business in the early construction of major projects. For example, during the construction of the Hoover Dam (1931-1936), a total of 96 work-related fatalities were incurred (Hernan, 2009). A similar number for the construction of the Panama Canal, inclusive of all deaths during the period 1880-1914, was ~20,000 fatalities (many of which were mosquito-related illnesses) (American History, 2003). During the actual 7-year construction by the United States, a total of 5609 fatalities from illnesses and injuries were incurred (American History, 2003).
