NC OSHA investigates death of Duke Energy worker who was electrocuted in Charlotte
Duke Energy and North Carolina workplace safety officials are investigating the death of a lineworker who was electrocuted while making repairs to electrical equipment in north Charlotte Wednesday.
Duke Energy identified the worker as Lewis “Ben” Smith, who worked as a line technician for the company since August 2019. He died while repairing equipment on North Hoskins Road after a car hit a utility pole.
Smith’s co-workers have erected a memorial at the site of the accident to honor him.
“Duke Energy lost a member of our family this week, and our hearts are broken,” Scott Batson, Duke Energy senior vice president and chief distribution officer, said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Ben’s wife, son and entire family as well as everyone who knew and loved Ben. He was part of a brotherhood of utility lineworkers and teammates who were proud to work by his side and will continue to mourn this tragic loss today and in the sad days ahead.”
Smith’s death comes at a time when workplace deaths in North Carolina have been on the rise. In the fiscal year ending in September 2019, 54 people in the state were killed on the job — five more than were killed the previous year and 19 more than were killed in fiscal 2017, according to state Department of Labor statistics.
State labor department statistics don’t include some categories of workplace deaths, including those that result from traffic accidents — a leading cause of work-related fatalities.
Duke Energy said it is investigating the event that led to Smith’s death and is cooperating with investigators from the state Occupational Safety and Health division.
This story was originally published June 27, 2020 at 12:41 PM.
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