A fatal accident at a work site in a church parking lot in Palo Alto, California, has left one worker dead.
California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) is investigating the accident, which occurred at a church on Middlefield Road between Marion Road and Oregon Expressway.
Authorities have not released the age or gender of the victim, and they haven’t said just how the employee died. A paving company work crew was at the church to reseal the parking lot.
The victim’s co-worker flagged down a police sergeant immediately after the 8:45 a.m. accident. He assessed the situation and called for backup, according to a Palo Alto police spokesperson.
The paving company employee was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Once the facts have been gathered, investigators will determine if there were any violations of California’s workplace safety and health regulations,” a Cal/OSHA spokesman told the ABC television affiliate in San Francisco. “If any violations are found, the employer will be cited and penalties assessed based on the nature and seriousness of the violations.”
The agency has six months to finish the investigation.
The church’s pastor also gave his condolences to the victim’s family.
“Our hearts break for those who have lost a loved one in this event and our prayers are with them as they mourn,” he said.
Employees should expect to go to their jobs each day and find their workplaces safe and their equipment in excellent operating condition, but that unfortunately doesn’t always happen. If you have been injured on the job in California or have lost a loved one to a workplace accident, an attorney who has worked on cases pertaining to construction sites or other locations can discuss your situation with you to evaluate how to move forward.
