It is not uncommon for police nationwide, including in Oklahoma, to be called to scenes of workplace accidents. One such call was received by dispatchers in another state shortly before noon on a recent Tuesday. They responded to an indoor amusement facility where a worker reportedly suffered a workplace injury.
The accident report indicates that the worker was on a platform from which he was removing light fixtures. A bolt of electricity caused the worker to fall off the platform. When he landed on the ground, he was reportedly still clutching the live electrical wire in his hand.
Employees reported that they were under the impression that the power had been turned off prior to the start of the electrical maintenance. To protect the safety of the victim and the emergency workers, responders had the electricity to the whole venue shut down. Paramedics started CPR on the victim who was in critical condition. The 42-year-old electrician was rushed to the hospital but died after a short while.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration was reportedly informed of the fatal workplace injury and will assist the police department in an accident investigation. When an Oklahoma family loses a loved one in a workplace accident, financial relief may be pursued. Claiming death benefits through the workers’ compensation insurance fund typically provides covered dependents with compensation for end-of-life expenses and a financial package to assist with day-to-day living expenses. The financial package awarded will be based on the income level of the deceased worker.
Source: South Windsor Ct. Patch, “UPDATE: Electrician Identified In Fatal Accident at South Windsor Amusement Center“, Vincent Salzo, Sept. 2, 2015