Deadly construction sites - Revision history

Editor at 09:58, 3 January 2026

2026-01-03T09:58:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:58, 3 January 2026
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	12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.		12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.
		+
		+	= Other projects =
		+
		+	Great Wall of China: it is estimated anywhere between 300,000 to half a million labourers died building the wall, many potentially buried within the wall itself. However to put this into perspective, the wall wasn't a single project but a series of fortifications that were built over more than 2,000 years, from the 7th century BC to the 17th century AD, with major expansions under the Qin and Ming dynasties.
		+
		+	Suez Canal: The project was started in April 1859 and officially opened in November 1869, during the 10 years of construction it has been said that up to 120,000 labourers died during the 10 years of excavation and construction.
		+
		+	Burma-Siam Railway was also known as "Death Railway" in only the three years it took to build, between 1940 and 1943, it has been estimated that possibly over 100,000 workers died. The mass deaths of workers were likely due to starvation, disease (cholera, malaria, and dysentery), and physical abuse, 12-16,000 of the workers were allied prisoners of war (POWs) and 75,000 to 100,000 were forced civilian labourers from Southeast Asian under the control of Japanese authorities the railway was built to link Thailand and Burma (Myanmar) and supply their troops during WWII.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

Editor at 09:43, 3 January 2026

2026-01-03T09:43:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:43, 3 January 2026
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	12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.		12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* 7 Engineering Wonders of the World.		* 7 Engineering Wonders of the World.
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	* Tunnels of the world.		* Tunnels of the world.

−	~~[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]]~~ [[Category:DCN_Collection]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:History]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Collection]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:History]]

Designing Buildings at 07:38, 17 February 2021

2021-02-17T07:38:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:38, 17 February 2021
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	12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.		12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* 7 Engineering Wonders of the World.		* 7 Engineering Wonders of the World.
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	* Tunnels of the world.		* Tunnels of the world.

−	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]]	+	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:DCN_Collection]] [[Category:DCN_Commentary]] [[Category:DCN_Project_Knowledge]] [[Category:History]]

Designing Buildings at 07:57, 9 August 2018

2018-08-09T07:57:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:57, 9 August 2018
Line 28:		Line 28:

	12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.		12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.
		+
		+	= Find out more =
		+
		+	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===
		+
		+	* 7 Engineering Wonders of the World.
		+	* Bridges of the world.
		+	* Civil Engineering during the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
		+	* Health and safety.
		+	* Recording old industrial sites.
		+	* Tallest buildings in the world.
		+	* The world's largest construction projects infographic.
		+	* Tunnels of the world.

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]]

Designing Buildings at 07:53, 9 August 2018

2018-08-09T07:53:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:53, 9 August 2018
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	The White Sea-Baltic Canal, or White Sea Canal as it is often known, is a ship canal in Russia constructed in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. The Gulags were forced labour camps created during Lenin's time in power and reaching their peak under Stalin. Until 1961 it was known as The Stalin White Sea-Baltic Canal.		The White Sea-Baltic Canal, or White Sea Canal as it is often known, is a ship canal in Russia constructed in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. The Gulags were forced labour camps created during Lenin's time in power and reaching their peak under Stalin. Until 1961 it was known as The Stalin White Sea-Baltic Canal.

−	The canal is 141 miles long, running through several canalised rivers and Lake Vygozero. The canal was originally planned to improve trade and construction with the ability to move materials more efficiently. However, the water level is too shallow in many places to allow large boats to pass. Therefore, the canal still only carries light traffic of between ten and forty boats ~~per~~ day.	+	The canal is 141 miles long, running through several canalised rivers and Lake Vygozero. The canal was originally planned to improve trade and construction with the ability to move materials more efficiently. However, the water level is too shallow in many places to allow large boats to pass. Therefore, the canal still only carries light traffic of between ten and forty boats a day.

−	The Soviet Union constructed the canal as part of their infamous five-year plan. The canal was completed four months ahead of time in an attempt to show the efficiency and strength of the Soviet Union. The canal was the first construction project ~~using~~ the Soviet Unions forced labour from Gulags. The camps and prisons supplied 100,000 convicts ~~and~~ this ~~was advertised as an example of using prisoners but also helping~~ them 'reforge' - a Soviet concept of rehabilitation.	+	The Soviet Union constructed the canal as part of their infamous five-year plan. The canal was completed four months ahead of time in an attempt to show the efficiency and strength of the Soviet Union. The canal was the first construction project that used the Soviet Unions forced labour from Gulags. The camps and prisons supplied 100,000 convicts, suggesting that this would help them 'reforge' - a Soviet concept of rehabilitation.

−	In reality though, prisoners ~~survived~~ in brutal conditions. Teams were forced to live in cramped, uncomfortable surroundings and competed against each other increasing working hours and ~~the~~ intensity of labour.	+	In reality though, prisoners existed in brutal conditions. Teams were forced to live in cramped, uncomfortable surroundings and competed against each other with increasing working hours and rising intensity of labour.

	12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.		12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.

	[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]]		[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]]

Designing Buildings at 07:48, 9 August 2018

2018-08-09T07:48:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:48, 9 August 2018
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−	~~Modern technology has revolutionised many aspects of modern life, including the efficiency and safety of construction sites around the world.~~	+	= Introduction =

−	However, it took a long time to reach our current level of health and safety~~. Here we take a look at two of the most deadly construction sites throughout history~~.	+	Modern technology has revolutionised many aspects of modern life, including the efficiency and safety of construction sites. However, it took a long time to reach our current level of health and safety.

−	~~== The Panama Canal ==~~	+	Here we take a look at two of the most deadly construction sites in history.

−	~~Perhaps one of the best known construction projects of all time, the~~ Panama Canal~~, was started by France in 1887. The canal would connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and make maritime trade far easier.~~	+	= The Panama Canal =

−	~~Ferdinand de Lessaps was charged with~~ the ~~task~~ of ~~planning and constructing~~ the ~~canal after his success with the Suez~~ Canal~~. However~~, ~~De Lesseps only visited~~ the ~~site a few times and~~ the ~~dense jungle and poor working conditions led to over 200 deaths per month. Attempts~~ to ~~control~~ the ~~outbreak of disease were unsuccessful as it wasn't yet known that mosquitoes were carriers of malaria. An estimated 22,000 workers died during this initial building period~~.	+	Perhaps one of the best known construction projects of all time, the Panama Canal, was started by the French government in 1887 to connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and make maritime trade easier.

−	~~Work~~ was ~~transferred~~ to a ~~much smaller task force~~ to ~~try and minimise~~ the ~~number~~ of ~~deaths~~.	+	Ferdinand de Lessaps was charged with the task of planning and constructing the canal after his success with the Suez Canal. However, De Lesseps only visited the site a few times and the dense jungle and poor working conditions led to more than 200 deaths a month. Attempts to control the outbreak of disease were unsuccessful as it was not known that mosquitoes were carriers of malaria. An estimated 22,000 workers died during the initial building period.

−	~~The project~~ was then ~~taken over by the USA in 1904. The USA inherited~~ a ~~depleted workforce, damaged equipment and a mammoth~~ task~~. The work continued and mosquito carried diseases were minimised by the end of construction thanks~~ to ~~the work of Dr. Carlos Finlay and Dr. Walter Reed. Improvements included mosquito nets, improved hygiene~~ and the ~~elimination~~ of ~~stagnant water~~.	+	Work was then transferred to a smaller task force to try and minimise the number of deaths.

−	~~Despite these improvements~~, ~~another 5,600 workers died during~~ the ~~American completion~~ of the ~~Panama Canal~~.	+	The project was then taken over by the USA in 1904. The USA inherited a depleted workforce, damaged equipment and a mammoth task. The work continued and mosquito carried diseases were minimised by the end of construction thanks to the work of Dr. Carlos Finlay and Dr. Walter Reed. Improvements included mosquito nets, better hygiene and the elimination of stagnant water.

−	== White Sea-Baltic Canal ==	+	Despite this however, a further 5,600 workers died.
		+
		+	= White Sea-Baltic Canal =

	The White Sea-Baltic Canal, or White Sea Canal as it is often known, is a ship canal in Russia constructed in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. The Gulags were forced labour camps created during Lenin's time in power and reaching their peak under Stalin. Until 1961 it was known as The Stalin White Sea-Baltic Canal.		The White Sea-Baltic Canal, or White Sea Canal as it is often known, is a ship canal in Russia constructed in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. The Gulags were forced labour camps created during Lenin's time in power and reaching their peak under Stalin. Until 1961 it was known as The Stalin White Sea-Baltic Canal.

Editor at 14:01, 20 July 2018

2018-07-20T14:01:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:01, 20 July 2018
Line 1:		Line 1:
	Modern technology has revolutionised many aspects of modern life, including the efficiency and safety of construction sites around the world.		Modern technology has revolutionised many aspects of modern life, including the efficiency and safety of construction sites around the world.

−	However, it took a long time to reach our current level of health and safety. Here we take a look at ~~some~~ of the most deadly ~~[https://www.insulationexpress.co.uk/blog/news/five-deadly-construction-sites/~~ construction sites throughout history].	+	However, it took a long time to reach our current level of health and safety. Here we take a look at two of the most deadly construction sites throughout history.

	== The Panama Canal ==		== The Panama Canal ==

−	Perhaps one of the best known ~~human~~ construction projects of all time, the Panama Canal, was started by France in 1887. The canal would connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and make maritime trade far easier.	+	Perhaps one of the best known construction projects of all time, the Panama Canal, was started by France in 1887. The canal would connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and make maritime trade far easier.

−	Ferdinand de Lessaps was charged with the task of planning and constructing the canal after his success with the Suez Canal. However, De Lesseps only visited the site a few times and the dense jungle and poor working conditions led to over ~~two hundred~~ deaths per month. Attempts to control the outbreak of disease were unsuccessful as it wasn't yet known that mosquitoes were carriers of malaria. An estimated 22,000 workers died during this initial building period.	+	Ferdinand de Lessaps was charged with the task of planning and constructing the canal after his success with the Suez Canal. However, De Lesseps only visited the site a few times and the dense jungle and poor working conditions led to over 200 deaths per month. Attempts to control the outbreak of disease were unsuccessful as it wasn't yet known that mosquitoes were carriers of malaria. An estimated 22,000 workers died during this initial building period.

	Work was transferred to a much smaller task force to try and minimise the number of deaths.		Work was transferred to a much smaller task force to try and minimise the number of deaths.
Line 17:		Line 17:
	== White Sea-Baltic Canal ==		== White Sea-Baltic Canal ==

−	The White Sea-Baltic Canal, or White Sea Canal as it is often known, is a ship canal in Russia constructed in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. The ~~Gulag's~~ were forced labour camps created during Lenin's time in power and reaching their peak under Stalin. Until 1961 it was known as The Stalin White Sea-Baltic Canal.	+	The White Sea-Baltic Canal, or White Sea Canal as it is often known, is a ship canal in Russia constructed in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. The Gulags were forced labour camps created during Lenin's time in power and reaching their peak under Stalin. Until 1961 it was known as The Stalin White Sea-Baltic Canal.

	The canal is 141 miles long, running through several canalised rivers and Lake Vygozero. The canal was originally planned to improve trade and construction with the ability to move materials more efficiently. However, the water level is too shallow in many places to allow large boats to pass. Therefore, the canal still only carries light traffic of between ten and forty boats per day.		The canal is 141 miles long, running through several canalised rivers and Lake Vygozero. The canal was originally planned to improve trade and construction with the ability to move materials more efficiently. However, the water level is too shallow in many places to allow large boats to pass. Therefore, the canal still only carries light traffic of between ten and forty boats per day.

Editor: moved Five Deadly Construction Sites to Deadly construction sites

2018-07-20T13:59:47Z

moved Five Deadly Construction Sites to Deadly construction sites

← Older revision

Revision as of 13:59, 20 July 2018

Georgia: Created page with "Modern technology has revolutionised many aspects of modern life, including the efficiency and safety of construction sites around the world. However, it took a long time to rea..."

2018-06-11T11:19:17Z

Created page with "Modern technology has revolutionised many aspects of modern life, including the efficiency and safety of construction sites around the world. However, it took a long time to rea..."

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Modern technology has revolutionised many aspects of modern life, including the efficiency and safety of construction sites around the world.

However, it took a long time to reach our current level of health and safety. Here we take a look at some of the most deadly [https://www.insulationexpress.co.uk/blog/news/five-deadly-construction-sites/ construction sites throughout history].

== The Panama Canal ==

Perhaps one of the best known human construction projects of all time, the Panama Canal, was started by France in 1887. The canal would connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and make maritime trade far easier.

Ferdinand de Lessaps was charged with the task of planning and constructing the canal after his success with the Suez Canal. However, De Lesseps only visited the site a few times and the dense jungle and poor working conditions led to over two hundred deaths per month. Attempts to control the outbreak of disease were unsuccessful as it wasn't yet known that mosquitoes were carriers of malaria. An estimated 22,000 workers died during this initial building period.

Work was transferred to a much smaller task force to try and minimise the number of deaths.

The project was then taken over by the USA in 1904. The USA inherited a depleted workforce, damaged equipment and a mammoth task. The work continued and mosquito carried diseases were minimised by the end of construction thanks to the work of Dr. Carlos Finlay and Dr. Walter Reed. Improvements included mosquito nets, improved hygiene and the elimination of stagnant water.

Despite these improvements, another 5,600 workers died during the American completion of the Panama Canal.

== White Sea-Baltic Canal ==

The White Sea-Baltic Canal, or White Sea Canal as it is often known, is a ship canal in Russia constructed in the 1930s by Gulag prisoners. The Gulag's were forced labour camps created during Lenin's time in power and reaching their peak under Stalin. Until 1961 it was known as The Stalin White Sea-Baltic Canal.

The canal is 141 miles long, running through several canalised rivers and Lake Vygozero. The canal was originally planned to improve trade and construction with the ability to move materials more efficiently. However, the water level is too shallow in many places to allow large boats to pass. Therefore, the canal still only carries light traffic of between ten and forty boats per day.

The Soviet Union constructed the canal as part of their infamous five-year plan. The canal was completed four months ahead of time in an attempt to show the efficiency and strength of the Soviet Union. The canal was the first construction project using the Soviet Unions forced labour from Gulags. The camps and prisons supplied 100,000 convicts and this was advertised as an example of using prisoners but also helping them 'reforge' - a Soviet concept of rehabilitation.

In reality though, prisoners survived in brutal conditions. Teams were forced to live in cramped, uncomfortable surroundings and competed against each other increasing working hours and the intensity of labour.

12,000 workers died during construction with numerous more injured. 12,000 workers were freed at the end of construction as a reward for their forced labour and as further propaganda for the success of the Soviet Union.

[[Category:Articles_needing_more_work]] [[Category:History]]