Inspection Detail
Inspection: 315011536 - Village Of Western Springs - Public Works
Inspection Information - Office: Illinois Public Sector 0551701
Site Address:
Village Of Western Springs - Public Works
1200 Block W Burlington Road
Western Springs, IL 60558
Mailing Address:
740 Hillgrove Avenue-Attn: William Rodeghier, Pres, Western Springs, IL 60558
Union Status: NonUnion
SIC:9199
NAICS: 921190/Other General Government Support
Inspection Type: Accident
Scope: Partial
Advanced Notice: N
Ownership: LocalGovt
Safety/Health: Health
Close Conference: 02/10/2011
Emphasis:
Case Closed: 05/05/2011
| Type | Activity Nr | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accident | 102641438 |
Investigation Summary
On January 31, 2011, Employee #1, a 41-year-old male with Village of Western Springs - Public Works, had stopped at the water tower located in Spring Rock Park along Burlington Avenue, Western Springs before proceeding to his office. Employee #1 had a brief conversation with one or two of his employees at about 8:30 a.m. Shortly after, Employee #1 drove to his Public Works facility office and met with Superintendent and Chief Mechanic at about 9:00 a.m. where they were informed that he was going to climb the water tower, to obtain a meter reading in connection with the study as to why the village's water consumption had been high. Both the Superintendent and Chief Mechanic had discouraged Employee #1 of climbing the tower due to bad weather conditions and that he needed another person to be with him. He assured them that he was not climbing alone, and he will stop by the village hall to take another employee with him. Employee #1 retrieved a safety harness and left just before 10:00 a.m. At about noon, Employee #1 was being sought by the Village Manager, Chief Mechanic, and his secretary. Public Works personnel proceeded to the water tower when Employee #1 did not respond to several phone calls. The water tower was one hundred and thirty feet in height with an internal access ladder leading to central roof hatch. The top was approximately twenty- feet wide and almost flat. There was a triangular antenna array surrounding the roof hatch. The water tower was equipped with a frost vent connected to the tank. Investigators found that the top of tower was free of snow on the day of the accident and wind conditions were not considered to be a factor. There was a flag with navigation lights on top of the tower. A Public Works Department maintenance worker was ordered to climb the tower to check if Employee #1 had climbed. As the worker approached the top, he was instructed by his Superintendent to descend. At this time, the body of Employee #1 was located on the ground adjacent just few feet away from the base of the tower. He was not responsive. Emergency medical personnel was called and arrived at the site. The Cook County Medical Examiner office was notified. The Medical Examiner arrived about 3:00 p.m., and Employee #1 was pronounced dead. Employee #1 wore a harness and a twin leg lanyard. One leg of the lanyard was attached to the harness left shoulder strap just above the chest strap. The other leg was free and the apex end of the lanyard was connected to the dorsal ring. The manufacturer examined the harness (tongue buckle leg strap two D-ring vest-type Delta Model number 1107800, year 2002.The six-foot Shockwave twin-leg lanyard, Model 1224412, year 2002 had a steel rebar hooks on each leg and a standard hook at the apex was also examined. Both the harness and all its components were found to be in good working order. The medical examiner's autopsy report revealed that Employee #1 died as a result of multiple injuries sustained as a result of a fall from the water tower, and the manner of death was accidental. Employees were interviewed and a review of Employee #1's job description showed that one of his duties as Director of Municipal Services, was to promote safety in the workplace and the practice of safe work habits at all times. His employees stated that Employee #1 was a hands-on management official and that he had on few occasions had climbed the water tower himself, rather than delegating. There were no findings noted in this investigation. Therefore, no citations will be issued. The case was closed. Employee #1 had worked for the Village of Western Springs - Public Works for over twenty-years.
Keywords: UNCONSCIOUSNESS, PPE, FALL, FALL PROTECTION, TOWER, UNTRAINED
| # | Inspection | Age | Sex | Degree of Injury | Nature of Injury | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 315011536 | Fatality | Other | Management related occupations, n.e.c. |
Translate