A recent spate of construction deaths in the U.S. illustrate the dangers faced by workers in the industry – in a variety of circumstances.

A fall from a highway killed a worker in Harris County, Texas June 21. News reports say the man, a subcontractor with Choctaw Construction who was from Mexico, fell to his death at the Highway 288 expansion project being developed by Blue Ridge Transportation.

In Lake Phalen, Minnesota, 38-year-old Corey Buerke was killed June 18 by an object that fell on him at a construction site. Buerke, an employee of Acoustic Associates, was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

The Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA) is investigating the incident.

A construction worker and a motorist

Roadside construction zone accidents in Illinois and Texas claimed the lives of two people – one of them a worker, one a driver who disregarded warning barricades.

Lake Forest Illinois police say a member of a crew performing overnight roadwork near Route 41 and Old Elm Road was struck June 25 by a dump truck that was reversing in the construction zone. Emergency responders found the victim dead at the scene. The Lake County Major Crash Assistance Team is investigating.

And on June 27 in Bexar County, Texas a motorist reportedly died after ignoring barricades, driving through a highway construction area and slamming into a concrete barrier. A passenger was taken to a nearby hospital and listed in critical condition. The highway was closed while deputies investigated the crash scene.