Worker Dies After Electrocution at Piedmont Facility
Working on equipment in an industrial environment can be dangerous. When electricity is involved, it can cause serious injuries and fatalities.
Sadly, a 65-year-old man from Easley died on the afternoon of August 7 after being electrocuted while working on a heating and air conditioning unit at an equipment supplier facility in Piedmont, South Carolina.
When emergency responders arrived, they found the man unconscious on a scissor lift. Authorities said he had been working on a heater and air conditioning unit when he came into contact with a live electrical wire.
The man received treatment at the scene but later died from his injuries. The coroner ruled his death as accidental. The Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and Anderson County Coroner’s Office are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Dangers of Electrical Work
Electrical work can expose workers to serious hazards, particularly when they are working around energized equipment or electrical wiring. Contact with a live wire can cause an electrical shock that may result in severe burns, cardiac arrest, neurological injuries or death.
Workers performing maintenance or repairs on electrical equipment generally need to identify and control electrical hazards before beginning work. Depending on the circumstances, safety procedures may include shutting off power, properly locking and tagging electrical sources, testing equipment to verify that it is de-energized and using appropriate protective equipment.
Working from a scissor lift can present additional hazards. A worker who suffers an electrical shock while elevated may also fall from the platform, potentially resulting in traumatic injuries.
Employers have a responsibility to provide workers with a safe workplace and appropriate training, equipment and safety procedures. Electrical hazards should be identified and addressed before employees perform maintenance or repair work.
What Happens After a Fatal Workplace Accident?
A workplace death may prompt investigations by multiple agencies. Investigators may examine the worksite, equipment, electrical systems, safety procedures and circumstances leading up to the accident.
When a worker dies in a workplace accident, surviving family members may also have questions about workers’ compensation benefits and whether any additional legal claims may be available. The answer can depend on how the accident occurred, who was responsible and the relationship between the worker and other parties involved. Identifying all potential wrongdoers is critical and the workplace accident attorneys at Simmons Law Firm aggressively investigates each case to ensure that all potential wrongdoers are identified.
Families dealing with a fatal workplace accident should contact an attorney who handles South Carolina workplace injury and wrongful death matters to understand their legal rights.
Contact Us Today
Wires and other electrical parts can lead to electrocution. While some people are lucky enough to survive such an accident, fatalities are common.
While workers’ compensation benefits exist, they do not apply to every case and sometimes they are simply not enough. Get the help you need from a Columbia workplace accident lawyer from Simmons Law Firm. We are skilled at handling cases where individuals go up against opponents such as corporations, insurance carriers, and government entities. Fill out the online form or call (803) 779-4600 to schedule a consultation with our office today.
Source:
myfox8.com/news/south-carolina/south-carolina-man-dies-after-electrocution-at-equipment-supplier/
