The Lake County Coroner’s Office, Illinois, on Tuesday, August 11th, identified the man killed in a Volo excavation workplace accident. In updates made to the accident report, the coroner named Michael Rowell, a 33-year-old Woodstock resident, as the victim.

The preliminary autopsy report disclosed that the man died from multiple injuries sustained in the accident. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said that the accident happened last week Friday, August 7th, at about 12:17 p.m. in the 30800-block of North Route 12.

Police said that Rowell attempted to free some rocks that appeared stuck in the hopper of a gravel screening machine, but his hand became trapped. The latter led to his injuries, and he succumbed to them at the scene. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Excavation is one of the most dangerous operations in the construction industry. Dangers include cave-ins, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and hazards from using heavy equipment. Regular pre-work inspection can reduce this type of accident and the severity of the injuries sustained.

Safety tips for excavation workers cover daily trench inspection, being mindful of weather conditions, especially rain and storms, and placing heavy equipment away from trench edges. Be aware of the location of utilities underground; don’t work beneath raised loads, and conduct atmosphere tests.

Create protective systems like benching, sloping, shoring, and shielding. Have a qualified person plan and implement safety measures and use a checklist to perform regular self-inspections.

Disclaimer: The Accident News article you just read includes information obtained from numerous sources. These sources include, but are not limited to, websites and press releases from law enforcement, the county coroner, fire departments, and other news outlets. While we strive to provide readers with the most accurate information, sometimes the information received is not entirely accurate. For complete details, please refer to an official police report.

The articles published contain sensitive subject matter that may be hard to read by some. We understand that losing a loved one is hard and devastating. Accident News’s decision to share the stories is to help others who may be facing the same situations by providing appropriate resources to the general public.

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