A 5o year old man, Anthony Smith was found unconscious and on fire after being critically shocked in Riverside, FL by power lines. OSHA says there were clear problems with the work site.
According to WOKV, Investigators were called to McCoy Creek Blvd where a Washington Painting employee was painting a building using a Sun-Belt Rentals Genie aerial lift. Jacksonville OSHA Office Area Director Brian Sturtecky says the worker got too close to a power line, and was shocked through his head as he contacted the power lines.
“He broke the ‘Golden Rule’. You automatically stay ten feet away from power lines unless you contact the owner of the power lines and make other arrangements to make it safe,” Sturtecky says.
Sun-Belt Rentals Genie 4×4 Aerial Lift
He says not only is that an OSHA standard, but warnings are printed on the side of the aerial lift itself and it’s a well-known safety protocol. While Sturtecky says their investigation is just beginning, he “100%” believes there were problems on the site.
“Any time you have a piece of equipment or an employee’s body that gets within ten feet of a power line, you are in violation of OSHA standards,” he says.
According to Sturtecky, there have already been 26 work site fatalities in the District this year.
“No one should have to lose their life for a job, and something like this is so preventable.
OSHA hasn’t spoken with Washington Painting at this time, nor have they gotten in touch with the other three to four workers they believe were on the site. Sturtecky says they will take a total look at the company, including making sure all safety guidelines are being followed at the other company work sites.
