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Temporary Electrician Helper Steps into Unguarded Elevator Shaft and Dies

Kentucky Case Report: 14KY039
Release Date: September 28, 2015

SUMMARY

July 16, 2014, a 34-year-old temporary electrician helper was laying out light fixtures to be installed in a commercial construction project when he stepped into an unguarded elevator shaft and fell 13 feet and 8 inches to his death. At approximately 5:00 pm, two sub-contracted painters were looking for empty buckets and found the victim at the bottom of the elevator shaft. It was unclear how long he had been there. Emergency Medical Services were notified and arrived on the scene, pronouncing the victim dead at 7:20 pm. His death was due to injuries sustained in the fall.

Electrician Helper Steps into Unguarded Elevator Shaft and Dies [PDF 510 KB]