Texas Worker Fatally Hurt When Object Falls From Crane

March 10, 2009

Federal work-safety officials are investigating the recent death of a contract worker at the Total Petrochemical refinery in Port Arthur, Texas.

Refinery spokesman Pat Avery says an object of some sort apparently fell from a crane and struck the worker in the head on the afternoon of Mar. 7. He was airlifted to Christus St. Elizabeth hospital in Beaumont, where he subsequently died.

The French oil company Total hasn’t released the identity of the worker nor the company that employed him. But Avery said the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the company are conducting separate investigations.