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UPDATE: Escambia County Worker Not Wearing Fall Protection Killed While Cutting Tree
February 26, 2024
An Escambia County worker reportedly not wearing fall protection was killed Monday morning as crews worked to cut trees along a local roadway.
The accident happened about 9 a.m. at Detroit Boulevard and Cove Avenue. The crew member was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“Deputies discovered that county workers were cutting a tree when the tree swung and struck the boom arm,” the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “This knocked a 59-year-old male employee from the bucket to the ground. He was pronounced deceased by EMS.”
“A preliminary investigation revealed that no harness or helmet was being worn during the accident,” ECSO said.
“On behalf of Escambia County, I would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of our colleague. This is a difficult time that we will all navigate together. While the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducts its investigation into the tragic incident, we will continue to provide support to our fellow employees and assist those impacted by today’s loss,” Escambia County Administrator Wes Moreno said.
The incident is under investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.
No further details were immediately released.
Comments
12 Responses to “UPDATE: Escambia County Worker Not Wearing Fall Protection Killed While Cutting Tree”
Public employees in Florida (and 22 other states) are not covered by OSHA — which means they do not have a right to a safe workplace even when they do jobs as dangerous as private sector employees. It also means that there will likely be no independent investigation of the worker’s death, no penalties if the employer is found to be at fault and no lessons learned.
Almost no one knows that public employees are not protected, nor that the state has the ability to adopt a public employee OSHA program — that would be 50% funded by federal OSHA.
The legislature and the Governor could correct this injustice. Why don’t they?
Was there hazard form fill out first before work being
PRAYER FOR FAMILY.
To John Seiver….The county is not regulated by OSHA unfortunately. My condolences to his family.
all of the members of the crew should remind the person in the aerial lift that it is mandatory to wear / use fall protection and safety gear …. I’m sure that DOSH / OSHA will investigate as well as the sheriffs office …..
It’s always sad to hear of an avoidable fatality in the tree care industry
John Sevier, Certified Arborist #WE1415A
I cant stress ppe and safety enough, this should be osha investigated. Condolences to the family.
No job/task; regardless of pay, urgency or stature is more important that personal safety FIRST.
So sad right here. My prayers are with this family that’s grieving the loss of their loved one. I could go on and on about the importance of safety equipment and using said safety equipment. I believe this article says it above. Injuries and fatalities in work places/homes are going to happen. We can finish these from happening by working/living safe. Most, if not all, safety regulations and/or safety practices are in place because someone was seriously injured and/or a loss of life…just like the placement of stop signs/caution lights/red lights and it’s sad that those are the reasons these things are put into play. I pray that this is a lesson to others to wear/use what will save you from something like this.
Big prayers for this family, as well as his co workers, for the loss of this young man.
I have worked with both men that ran this bucket truck for the county. My company I worked for sub for in line clearance for Gulf power to make it safe for these two to be able to do there Job both men are tree veterans. If he would have had that harness on he would have not bounced out and would have been hanging in mid air. A bucket rescue from the man on the ground with the over ride flipped could have brought him to the ground worst case broke back or ribs. Please people use your fall protection falls are not stopable but they are preventfull tie off and use you harness
God bless the workers family and his work family. We do have some of best County employees in the State, doing what ever it takes to get the job done stay safe.
So, so sorry this happened. Prayers to the family and friends.
Prayers for the families of the deceased as well as the co workers
God bless this worker, their family, all the other workers present who had to witness such a tragedy, and their county family who are all devastated as well. Please be kind and remember the person who has passed and all the people who are mourning before you make any assumptions or comments, please.