Legal News for Illinois Employment Attorneys. An explosion occurred while two workers were conducting an air pressure test, fatally injuring one.
Illinois employment lawyer alerts- OSHA expected to investigate explosion that left two Peoples Gas employees with critical and fatal injuries.
Chicago, IL (News)—Two Peoples Gas employees were critically injured when an explosion caused a pipe to hit them as they were conducting an underground air pressure test on Wednesday afternoon, March 3, 2010. The incident, which eventually proved fatal for one of the workers, occurred beneath Jackson Boulevard and Wacker Drive, according to information provided by the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., two unidentified Peoples Gas (also known as Peoples Energy) workers were pressure-testing a 20-inch metal pipe using air when an explosion occurred for unknown reasons. A Fire Media Affairs spokesperson allegedly reported, “They were pumping air through the system when something went wrong. It blew the pipe apart and it hit them.”
A man, identified as 48-year-old Kevin Spillers, was reported walking by the construction hole as the blast occurred, prompting him to courageously jump into the hole. Upon doing so, he noticed the two badly injured men and did what he could to help. Emergency medical services (EMS) crews responded to the scene and transported both of the unidentified workers to Stroger Hospital in critical condition to be treated by medical professionals. Unfortunately, one of the utility workers suffered injuries, which proved fatal at the hospital. Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) are expected to investigate the fatal work-related incident.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Illinois Employment Lawyers.
