The Federal Bureau of Investigation following a deadly electrical shock in Kansas City in 2022 has found that a Midwestern engineering services firm has failed to protect its workers again.

Kansas City, MO (WorkersCompensation.com) – 4th Year Apprentice Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Tech hired by US Engineering Services at University Academy, a college preparatory charter school in Kansas City, August 24, 2022. fatal electrocution after touching live parts while repairing HVAC equipment. , Missouri.

Federal investigators pointed to this violation in July 2021 when another company’s HVAC technician was electrocuted while working on a rooftop air conditioning unit that had not been fully drained of energy. in Wichita, Kansas.

Specifically, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration says that U.S. Engineering Services, a subsidiary of Midwestern company U.S. Engineering, shuts down equipment and prevents equipment from unintentionally activating during repair or maintenance. found that it was not possible to prevent OSHA also said the Kansas City-based company was unable to conduct a hazard assessment to identify the need for personal protective equipment and other requirements for field workers at the contract site, and repaired damaged extension cords. I also discovered that they allowed it to be used in the field.

“This worker’s death was averted. Employers must follow known electrical safety procedures set forth in federal regulations and industry accepted practices,” said the OSHA area of ​​Kansas City, Missouri. Director Karina Lorek said. “Companies whose employees work with electricity must take all necessary measures to ensure that they are protected from dangerous electrical hazards so that they can safely return home.”

An OSHA investigation found that a worker was cleaning a chiller unit in the academy’s machine room when the electrocution occurred. There were no locks or tagouts placed on the unit’s control switches to ensure that power was drained from the air handler and air handler.

Investigators also determined that neither arc flash personal protective equipment nor lockout/tagout devices were present at the time of the incident.

OSHA cited US Engineering Services for three serious violations and two repeat violations, and proposed fines of $197,642. Authorities identified similar violations after a fatal crash in July 2021. The company settled and paid the fine imposed by OSHA.

US Engineering Services is one of five companies US Engineering owns in Kansas City. Its holdings include US Engineering Construction, US Engineering Metalworks, US Engineering Innovations, and USE Real Estate Holdings.

The company has 15 business days of receiving the subpoena and penalty to comply, request an informal meeting with OSHA’s area director, or challenge the findings before an independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Board. chant

Learn more about OSHA.