The parents of a man who, in 2023, was electrocuted at work have volunteered to share the circumstances of their son’s passing with the Electrical Safety Foundation International. They hope to raise awareness of the risks of working with or around electricity. You can read their full account below. (Per their request for anonymity, identifying details are not included).
Two years ago, our son left for work and never returned home. He was electrocuted while working off-site to remove computer equipment that his employer had purchased. According to the incident report issued by OSHA, he was standing on a 6-foot stepladder, preparing a telecommunications relay assembly for demolition by cutting a bundle of network cables leading into the relay. Contact with a lighting circuit, which had not been shut off, caused the fatal injury.
OSHA cited his employer, having found that “employees were not trained to recognize electrical hazards, safety-related work practices were not employed to prevent electric shock, and electrical test equipment was not used to determine if circuits were de-energized prior to work on or near the equipment.”
He had a lot on his mind that day. Their beloved dog had died the night before. His wife begged him not to go in, but everyone was depending on him to get the job done, and he didn’t want to let his employer down. These factors — an employer who did not prioritize safety, grief, and exhaustion — led to that one moment when he reached for those wires and ended his life.
He missed his 20th wedding anniversary and will not get to meet his newborn nephew. Who will walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding? Our family is devastated by this loss, both for ourselves and our son, who had so many hopes and dreams for the future that will now go unrealized.
Please stay vigilant and follow all safety protocols. Never let routine breed complacency or allow pressure from your peers or employer to compel you to perform tasks for which you have not received adequate safety training. Protect yourself — not just for your sake, but for those who love and depend on you.