Tennessee safety officials say most construction site deaths in July were blamed on falls.
First Baptist Nashville / via Flickr
Spike In Tennessee Workplace Fatalities Blamed On Construction Boom, Worker Falls
By Blake Farmer • Aug 23, 2016 A spike in on-the-job fatalities in Tennessee has safety officials on high alert. Last month alone, 10 workers died.
Usually, most workplace deaths occur in the manufacturing sector. Of the 10 deaths in July, some were in factories. One was an incident involving a garbage truck. And four were on construction sites, according to the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
TOSHA administrator Steve Hawkins says most of the construction workers died because of a fall, and their deaths were likely preventable. He calls the spike "alarming," far surpassing a single month in recent memory.
"There's an influx of new employees to Tennessee. There may be employees attracted to construction who have not worked in the field before," Hawkins says. "We just know that there has been an increased number of fatalities in the month of July — a very large increase."
Hawkins says most of the fatalities have resulted in citations and fines for the employer. He's encouraging them to review safety procedures with workers. His agency also offers free consultations and will even send out a safety inspector at no charge who will point out violations without imposing fines.
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Nashville police investigate fall to death from Tennessee Tower Natalie Neysa Alund, nalund@tennessean.com 2:10 p.m. CDT July 14, 2016
Police are investigating a report of a person falling from the William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower early Thursday morning Natalie Alund and Samuel M. Simpkins
(Photo: Samuel M. Simpkins/ The Tennesse)
Metro police say a man whose body was found at the foot of a state building in downtown Nashville Thursday morning died as a result of an apparent suicide.
Officers responded at 5:54 a.m. to 312 Rosa Parks Avenue after receiving a report that a man jumped off the top of the William R. Snodgrass Tennessee Tower.
At the scene, crime scene tape surrounded a portion of the plaza entrance just off 7th Avenue and a Metro police captain confirmed the body of a man had been found.
The man, who was found on the north side of the skyscraper — just off Charlotte Avenue, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A preliminary investigation revealed the man apparently committed suicide, police spokeswoman Kris Mumford said.
The official cause of death is pending an autopsy by the Davidson County Medical Examiner.
At the scene, a group of men working on the building's roof said they were on the roof at some point but did not see the tragedy unfold.
One of the workers did say they saw items on the roof they believe may have belonged to the man. They did not elaborate.
The building, which houses a slew of Tennessee government offices was named in honor of William R. Snodgrass, a public servant who served as Tennessee's Comptroller of the Treasury from 1955-99.
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Satellite dish worker who died in fall identified
Posted: Aug. 21, 2015
By News Sentinel Staff
Authorities have released the name of a man who fell to his death this week while working on a satellite dish on the roof of a West Knox County house.
The Knox County Sheriff Office said 32-year-old Brandon Duncan was found Wednesday afternoon by the homeowner of 7711 Cherokee Springs Way unconscious in her driveway shortly after 4:30 p.m.
According to a KCSO incident report, authorities do not believe Duncan’s death is suspicious or that there were any signs of foul play. Duncan was working on a satellite dish on the home’s roof. =======================
Saturday, July 16, 2016
1 tree worker electrocuted to death and another worker was injured while trimming trees in Piney Flats in TN
One person electrocuted, one injured in tree trimming incident in Piney Flats
By News Channel 11 Staff Published: July 15, 2016, 1:48 pm Updated: July 15, 2016, 5:44 pm
SULLIVAN COUNTY, TN (WJHL) – Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office officials confirmed one person was electrocuted and was person was injured while working with a private landscaping company Friday.
According to Capt. Andy Seabolt, the incident happened in the 1,000 block of Haw Ridge Road in Piney Flats just after 12:30 p.m.
The sheriff’s office said workers for a private company were trimming trees for a homeowner when an employee made contact with a live electrical line.
According to the release, the employee who made contact with the line was killed and another employee received minor injuries.
The sheriff’s office is calling the incident an accidental electrocution.
Johnson City Power Board crews responded to the scene, along with Sullivan County EMS and Piney Flats Volunteer Fire Department.
Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration (TOSHA) said they have an inspector on the way.