The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation after a 63-year-old contractor from Florida was electrocuted while working at a a West Side pumping station.
Byron Conner was working in the 3500 block of West Fillmore Street when he was injured about 9 a.m. Thursday, Chicago police said. Conner was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy Friday determined Conner died from of electrocution from a high voltage transformer, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office, which ruled the death an accident.
“The Department of Water Management regards the safety of our employees and contractors as our highest priority,” a city official said in an emailed statement.
“All appropriate protocols and regulations will be followed in investigating the occurrence at the Central Park Pumping Station today,” the statement read. A safety investigator from the department will conduct “a preliminary examination of the situation,” according to the statement.
OSHA spokesperson Scott Allen confirmed the agency opened an investigation into three companies related to the fatality — IHC Construction, Innomotics,and Aldridge Electric.
Conner worked as an equipment repair vendor for Aldridge Electric, an on-site sub-contractor, Allen said.
“Preliminary information is that the worker made contact with a VFD (variable frequency drive) and was electrocuted,” Allen said in a statement. “No further information will be available until OSHA completes their investigation, which by law, they have six months to complete.”
Byron Conner Sr., Conner’s father, said the family is “in limbo” waiting for details.
“We’re not exactly sure what did happen except that we got notice that he was dead,” said Byron Conner Sr., 83. “I’m not sure what they found out or what’s happening and what’s going on. We’re sort of in the dark about it. It’s terrible.”
Aldridge Electric declined to comment on the incident.
Chicago police are conducting a death investigation.
