Investigation Pending in Death of Germantown Worker Who Fell from Scaffolding

A 34-year-old contractor from Germantown was killed in a tragic work accident earlier this month when he fell from scaffolding after coming into contact with power lines, local investigators have reported.

According to initial reports, the man had been working for a waterproof contractor at a former bank building in Alhambra. Working on top of scaffolding just after about 9 am, the man reportedly came in contact with live power lines and fell off scaffolding. Although emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the fall, the man was pronounced dead at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland just after 10:30 am.

Officials at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were alerted about this fatal accident and are currently investigating whether a violation of any OSHA regulations may have contributed to this death. Local authorities are also conducting their own investigation, with the results of an autopsy and toxicology test expected any day now.

Power Line & Scaffolding Accident Statistics Reveal Dangers for Contractors, Construction Workers

Deadly workplace accidents, like that the one that took the life of the Germantown man, are tragically all too common in the contracting and construction industry, as statistics show. In fact, as OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report:

• Scaffolding accidents injure at least 4,500 workers and kill more than 60 others every year in the U.S. This costs U.S. employers about $90 million in lost workdays annually.
• While about 72 percent of scaffolding accidents are caused by supports or planking giving way, contact with power lines and workers being hit by other objects are also common causes of these accidents.
• More than 60 percent of the deaths related electrical contact/contact with power lines were sustained by people in the construction industry.

It is unclear at this time if scaffolding problems or power line problems may have contributed to the Germantown man’s accident. The OSHA investigation will likely reveal this, as well as whether the employer provided the man with the necessary training (and safety equipment) to perform his job.

As more new about the OSHA investigation into this worker’s death becomes available, we’ll bring you the latest updates here in our blog. In the meantime, share your thoughts and comments about this with us on Facebook & Google+.

Contact a Mount Vernon Workers Compensation Lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

If you have been harmed in a work accident or you have lost a loved one to a fatal work accident, contact an experienced and trusted Mount Vernon workers compensation lawyer at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C. for help with your financial recovery.

To learn more about your best legal options and how we can help you, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page. We can provide you with a free, thorough assessment of your case, along with professional advice regarding the best manner in which to move forward.