Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1604112.015 - Bcomm Constructors Llc.

Inspection Information - Office: San Antonio Area Office

Investigation Summary

At 5:24 p.m. on June 23, 2022, an employee had been performing soft scaping (hand digging with a shovel) in direct heat with no shade. The employee was in the process of moving fiber optic cable from the street to behind a curb in a grassy area. The goal was for the employee to bury the cable about 12 inches into the ground. The employee complained of feeling tired and was also experiencing cramping. Due to these complaints, the employer took the employee off the digging crew and sent him with a coworker (vac truck operator) to dump a load. When the employee returned from dumping the vac truck, he began performing soft scaping again. Shortly after, the employee became combative and the police were called. The employee continued to be aggressive, was refusing aid, then passed out and was unresponsive. EMS was called and the employee was transported to the hopsital and died the following day. The employee had been diagnosed with severe heat stroke and had a core temperature of 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keywords: Construction, Cramp, Heat, Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke, High Temperature, Loss of consciousness, Lost consciousness, Optical Fiber Cable, Overheated, Telecom Work, Temperature, Trench Digger, Unresponsive, Weather