An OSHA official said it will take about six months to investigate the death of Jay M. Van Buskirk, 47, who fell off a man-lift at the ConAgra grain elevator in Alton, IL. Van Buskirk had reportedly been affected by the heat and told witnesses he was feeling dizzy prior to his fatal fall.
The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration will be investigating Saturday’s incident at the ConAgra flourmill in which an employee fell to his death.
Jay Van Buskirk was going down when he fell off, a spokeswoman for ConAgra said.
It was reported that Van Buskirk fell while descending on a “man-lift”, which can be described as a vertically mounted conveyor belt that passes from floor to floor of the facility.
Van Buskirk fell from the device between the fourth and fifth floor landings. Investigators from the Madison County Coroner’s Office determined the height of the fall to have been between approximately 56 and 74 feet.
Witnesses reported that Van Buskirk had complained of feeling dizzy prior to the mishap, Coroner Steve Nonn said.
According to the police report, Cranmer read that heat had affected Van Buskirk, and he mentioned he needed a break. He took the “man lift” down to the fifth floor to the break room and, as he was beginning to step off the lift, he lost his footing and fell 60 to 70 feet, the officer said.
An autopsy determined the cause of death was the result of head trauma.