Worker hurt in fall from scaffold at JCHA site

Tuesday, December 16, 2008
By TOM SHORTELL
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A construction worker fell 25 to 30 feet at a Jersey City public housing complex Monday afternoon, breaking his left arm and wrist, officials said.

The worker, in his late 40s, was on scaffolding at the Gloria Robinson Homes on Duncan Avenue about 1:30 p.m. when he misstepped and plunged to the ground, said Jersey City Fire Director Armando Roman.

The worker was able to describe what happened to emergency responders through a Portuguese interpreter before they rushed him to Jersey City Medical Center.

The man was treated for compound fractures to his left arm and left wrist as well as a head injury, Roman said. He was still undergoing testing last night, but was in stable condition, Roman said.

Maria Maio, director of the housing authority, said the man is an employee of Pazier Construction, Inc.

She did not know if the man was wearing any safety equipment other than a hard hat or if the accident would delay construction.