Letter to the editor from President Melander about the recent tragedies

Last week, three Minnesotans who were at work doing what they do every day, tragically lost their lives. Craig D. Carlson and Ronald Rajkowski died when a car plowed into them alongside Interstate 35W in Burnsville while they were working. Electrician Thomas Michael Gamboni was electrocuted while working on a sign in Centerville. Just two weeks ago, two highway workers narrowly escaped with their lives when a car hit them on highway 280.

These recent accidents give us pause. No family should have to go through the experience of having a loved one leave for work and never come home. It should be a reminder to drive carefully through construction zones, so workers can do their jobs and return home to their families.

The accidents also remind us why we have construction safety laws in the first place. There are some contractors who say these regulations are too much of burden on business. These regulations are there for a reason and need to continue. Safety regulations have fortunately made these recent accidents, an uncommon occurrence. Let’s make sure accidents like these continue to be a rarity.

Harry Melander, President
Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council

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