Workplace tragedy: Fatal lightning strike claims life of 21-year-old employee on an elevated platform
Fatal Workplace Accident in Villadossola: Investigation Underway
A tragic incident occurred in Piazza Repubblica, Villadossola, Italy, on August 2, 2023. A fatal workplace accident claimed the life of a 21-year-old worker named Pashtrik Krasniqi, of Kosovar origin.
The accident took place while Mr. Krasniqi was involved in dismantling a scaffold surrounding a recently renovated condominium. According to preliminary reports, the young man collided with an electrical cable, resulting in an electrocution.
The accident site, which was six meters high, is being secured by Enel personnel to ensure the safety of all involved. The carabinieri, firefighters, personnel from the Spresal of the Vco Asl, and Enel personnel are on the scene, working together to investigate the incident.
Emergency services, including personnel from the 118, were called to the scene. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to revive the victim. The carabinieri are currently reconstructing what happened at the site of the accident.
General workplace safety standards emphasise the importance of using appropriate fall protection systems, ensuring proper training for workers, inspecting equipment regularly, and following established protocols to minimise fall risks. For working around electrical cables, safety practices typically involve de-energizing electrical circuits when possible, maintaining safe distances from live wires, using insulated tools and personal protective equipment (PPE), and ensuring workers are trained in electrical hazard recognition and emergency procedures.
Italian workplace safety regulations, such as D.Lgs. 81/2008, require employers to implement these and other controls to prevent accidents at work, including fatal incidents like the one mentioned.
If you require detailed and official safety guidelines for working at heights and near electrical cables from authoritative sources such as OSHA or Italian regulatory bodies, please let us know.
The investigation into the accident is ongoing, and more information will be released as it becomes available. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim during this difficult time.
The average age of workers involved in fatal workplace accidents has been rising. This accident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of health and wellness in the workplace, not just in general news, but specifically in science and crime and justice matters. Following proper safety guidelines could have potentially prevented this tragedy.
