Inspection Detail

Inspection: 317055317 - Blunk'S Building And Remodeling

Inspection Information - Office: Indiana Department Of Labor

Investigation Summary

At approximately 12:00 p.m. on July 16, 2013, Employee #1, a carpenter employed by a building and remodeling company, was performing residential roofing work on a two-story house. He complained of being hot. Employee #1 came down from the roof to seek some shade. Coworker #1 found Employee #1 lying unconscious at the side of the house and called for emergency services. A bystander began CPR. When emergency medical services arrived, they transported Employee #1 to the local hospital. He arrived unresponsive with a core temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit according to hospital records. Employee #1 was transferred from the local hospital to a regional advanced care hospital. He died at 12:16 a.m. on July 17, 2013. According to the subsequent investigation, the coroner's report listed the cause of death as "Acute Polysubstance Intoxication - Contributory Factors: Hyperthermia (Temperature 104F)." According to the local airport data taken at 1:00 p.m. on July 16, 2013, the weather had been clear, with an air temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit, 51% humidity, a dew point of 71.1 degrees Fahrenheit, and 10 miles visibility. Due to the heat, the employer had its employees work a split schedule (6:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to dark), had them take hourly breaks, and made available to all employees cold water (bottled and drink cooler), ice, sports drinks, and soft drinks.

Keywords: HEAT, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, ROOF, CARPENTER, CONSTRUCTION, DESCENDING, INTOXICATED, HEAT EXHAUSTION, HIGH TEMPERATURE