Inspection Detail

Inspection: 1623182.015 - Custom Comfort Heating & Cooling Llc

Inspection Information - Office: Indiana Department Of Labor

Investigation Summary

At 6:00 p.m. on September 16, 2022, an employee was preparing to repair an air conditioning unit by replacing the blower motor at a customer's residence. The employee was a certified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technician with 30 years of experience. The employee left work at approximately 5:00 p.m. and drove his personal vehicle since he intended to perform the service call on the way home since the location was along the way. The employee pulled his truck around to the air conditioning unit behind the residence, unloaded the motor and his toolbox, and removed the access panels from the air conditioning unit. At approximately 9:00 a.m. on September 17, 2022, the resident saw the employee's truck and stepped outside to find the employee. The resident discovered the employee unresponsive and kneeling on the ground next to the air conditioning unit. The resident called 911 and attempted lifesaving actions such as CPR until the sheriff's department arrived and took control of the scene. The police and fire department personnel verified that no electrical tools were in use, no electrical wires were disturbed in the air conditioning housing, and there were no electrical shorts, and the 30 amp circuit breaker was still in the "ON" position. The employee had not opened the toolbox or unpackaged the new motor. The employee was working alone and the incident was unwitnessed. Although the immediate cause of death was unknown, electrical shock was ruled out. Subsequent coroner results confirmed that the employee's time of death was 6:00 p.m. on September 16, 2022. The cause was attributed to intoxication by fentanyl and ethanol with additional factors of cardiomegaly and arrhythmogenic right ventricle dysplasia.

Keywords: CPR, Cardiac Arrest, Cardiovasc System, Drug Overdose, HVAC, Heart, Intoxicated, Medical Condition, Repair, Service Technician, Servicing, Unwitnessed, Working Alone