OSHA reviews water tower site where worker died
Published 10:33 am Friday, July 25, 2014
The death of John T. Johnson is under investigation by Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials after the construction worker fell to his death from the Ingram Street water tower in Brookhaven late Wednesday morning.
Johnson, 41, originally from Du Pont, Georgia, was an employee of Southeast Tank and Tower. The Lake Park, Georgia-based company specializes in the repair and renovation of water storage tanks. The Georgia company was contracted to sandblast and repaint the tower at 246 Ingram St.
Detective Clint Earls of the Brookhaven Police Department said Johnson was working with a crew when he fell from a scaffolding and plunged 70 to 90 feet. Johnson was transported to King’s Daughters Medical Center Emergency Room where he was pronounced dead at 11:33 a.m. Wednesday, according to Lincoln County Coroner Clay McMorris.
OSHA was on the scene of the accident Thursday afternoon inspecting the area along with BPD officers and Brookhaven Water Department officials.
The piece of scaffolding where Johnson fell was still hanging from the tower as officials carefully reviewed the work site Thursday. The worker plunged 70 to 90 feet in his fall.
Earls said OSHA officials have started the inspection, but will wait until after Johnson’s funeral to complete the site review.
Officials stated no foul play was suspected in the incident.