A tragic accident occurred at a construction site in Lakewood, New Jersey, where a worker fell to his death from the third floor of a building under construction.

The incident, which happened on Friday morning, has raised concerns about workplace safety and led to an ongoing investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Details of the Incident

The victim, identified as 51-year-old Jorge O. Paltan-Ajila from The Bronx, was working at a construction site located at 1800 Avenue of the States. According to Lakewood Police Captain Gregory Staffordsmith, the accident happened around 7:30 a.m. when Paltan-Ajila was handing a tool to a coworker while standing on a boom lift. Tragically, he stepped on an unsecured beam, causing him to fall to the ground along with the beam.

Despite wearing a safety harness, it was later discovered that the harness was not secured to an anchor post. As a result, Paltan-Ajila suffered severe traumatic injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Company and OSHA Investigation

According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Labor, Paltan-Ajila was employed by WMT, a subcontractor of Westside Windows. This company, in turn, works under Keystone Developers, a larger construction firm. Reports indicate that neither WMT nor Westside Windows had a prior history of OSHA inspections. However, Keystone Developers had been inspected in December 2024, and no violations were cited at that time.

Following the accident, OSHA has launched an investigation to determine if any safety regulations were violated. The agency has six months to complete its investigation and issue citations if necessary. Investigators will examine whether proper safety protocols were followed and if the company provided adequate safety training and equipment to its workers.

Family and Worker Safety Concerns

The accident has deeply affected Paltan-Ajila’s family, especially since two of his cousins were also working at the site when the incident occurred. Witnessing such a tragic event has left them and other workers at the site devastated. The construction industry is known for its hazards, and this incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of strict adherence to safety measures.

Local worker unions and labor rights activists have expressed their concerns about safety conditions at construction sites. Many believe that stricter regulations, better enforcement, and more comprehensive worker training programs are necessary to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Safety Violations and Construction Site Risks

Falls from heights are one of the leading causes of fatalities in the construction industry. OSHA requires construction companies to ensure that workers using safety harnesses properly secure them to anchor points to prevent fatal falls. The fact that Paltan-Ajila’s harness was not anchored raises questions about whether proper safety protocols were followed at the site.

Many construction workers face similar risks every day, often working under tight deadlines and challenging conditions. Advocates argue that while OSHA regulations exist to protect workers, enforcement can sometimes be inconsistent, leaving workers vulnerable to preventable accidents.

What Happens Next?

As the OSHA investigation progresses, Paltan-Ajila’s family, coworkers, and worker advocacy groups are demanding accountability. If violations are found, fines and penalties could be issued against the companies involved. More importantly, the incident could prompt discussions on improving safety standards for construction workers across the country.

In the meantime, Paltan-Ajila’s family is mourning their loss, while the construction industry and safety regulators reflect on how to prevent such incidents from happening again.