We announce the death of 27-year-old David O’Donnell of Oak Forest, Illinois, with great sadness. David was working at a location on the Hyde Park campus of the University of Chicago Medical Center when he tragically lost his life in a construction accident on Thursday. about the intersection of South Drexel Avenue and East 57th Street, the collision happened about midday.
David, a New Horizon Steel ironworker, was standing on a scaffold when the structure gave way due to an abrupt gust of wind that was estimated to be traveling at roughly 33 miles per hour. David and another employee plunged nine storeys. David passed away at the site from his wounds despite the emergency services’ quick reaction. After suffering a serious injury, the second employee was sent to the University of Chicago Medical Center. According to Chicago fire officials, the workers were solely wearing yellow fluorescent vests and were not wearing safety harnesses.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation due to grave concerns regarding the absence of appropriate safety equipment. Frank Burg, a former OSHA staffer and safety specialist, claims that appropriate safety procedures, such as tethered harnesses, could have avoided this tragedy. Family and friends remembered David O’Donnell as a passionate and committed person. He became a technical engineer, carrying on his father’s engineering career, and attended Oak Forest High School. Brendan O’Donnell, his brother, talked about David’s commitment to duty, diligence, and intense devotion.
