75 year old man dies on the job at treatment plant (this is what I do for a living too)

[Omaha Steve]

Many of you know I was almost killed on the job 4 years ago. It was dumb luck a piece of re-bar was where it was (it wasn't supposed to be there) next to the ladder to stop my fall.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20111003/NEWS01/710039873#man-dies-at-treatment-plant

Published Monday October 3, 2011

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities in Buffalo County have identified a Niobrara man who died after he was flipped into a treatment pool at the Kearney wastewater treatment plant.

The Buffalo County Attorney’s Office issued a news release Monday identifying the man as William Aschoff, 75.

Aschoff was operating a piece of equipment Friday when it flipped into a treatment pool at the plant.

FULL story at link.

[Brickbat]

1. Seventy-five. Damn.

[Arctic Dave]

2. I always get nervous in treatment facilities.

Falling in a tank is my biggest concern.

[DoBotherMe]

3. Yikes!

My ex-husband worked at Swift making hamburger, sometimes he would have to jump into the auger to unclog it (the machine was off) it was very dangerous work. He was in the meatpackers union, but Swift was awful. Be careful out there! Dana ; )

[alphafemale]

4. Man. That would have to be in my bottom tier of ways to go out.

Getting eaten alive by a shark might be preferable to drowning in sewage.

Poor guy. Somebody's beloved Pappap I bet. Still working a job like that at 75.

:cry:

[valerief]

5. You'd think there'd be a way to strap yourself to something to avoid falling in. nt

[Omaha Steve]

8. I was never trained in fall protection or confined spaces before my accident

I was lent out for a few days to our sister plant. There was a safety tripod above the confined space entrance I could have used. I didn't have a harness and was told to go down the man hole. The ladder was covered with ice and snow to boot. I still have the inspection photos. A forty foot drop from where I slipped. I should have said "this looks dangerous" and called the union office. Something I preach as shop steward loud and often since this happened to me.

OS

[valerief]

14. Whew! Live and learn. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

6. RIP. n/t

[Brigid]

7. This is what our economy is coming to.

Seniors who should be fishing or engaging in other activities they enjoy, are still working because they can't afford to retire. Recently, another DUer posted a thread about seeing a senior in a wheelchair and using oxygen, working as a greeter at Wal-Mart.

[shadowrider]

11. Can you show me where it says he was working because he couldn't

afford to retire? My dad retired at 65 (1980) and immediately regretted it because he had nowhere to go in the morning and nothing to do all day. He played golf and did that on a regular basis, but even that eventually bored him so he found a part-time job.

Many people continue to work because it's their "comfort zone". It's difficult going from a busy day to doing nothing.

Blaming the economy for someones desire to keep busy is misguided, minus any info to the contrary, IMHO.

Yours may differ

[Brigid]

12. Would you be working at a water treatment plant at 75 if you didn't have to?

I know I wouldn't.

[Omaha Steve]

13. I'll see if I can find anything out

We have continuing education seminars etc. to keep our licenses up to date. My boss is also big in the association.

[RebelOne]

15. I was laid off my job in 2010. I am 72 now.

I would still be working now if I could. It wasn't because I could not afford to retire, it is because I loved my job. But now, no one is going to hire me at my age. I am bored as can be.

I was not laid off because of my age. Three others were let go along with me, including my boss, and they were all younger than me.

[sweetapogee]

17. I intend to work

until the day before I die. Not because I have to, I could retire now (age 53).

[aikoaiko]

9. hence, the age old adage of don't ride your dozer to close to the shit lake.

On a more serious note, operating heavy equipment is dangerous and that's a lousy way to die. \

RIP brother William.

[doc03]

10. That's what I did too. A few years ago one of my co-workers

climbed to the top of a holding tank to check an oil skimmer and fell into the tank. He had ten feet of tank wall all around him and the only thing that kept him from drowning was holding onto the oil skimmer hose. It was in the winter and the water was cold and the only thing saved him was he fell late in the turn and his relief found him after about an hour.

[progressiveinaction]

16. Hey Steve

I live in Omaha, what plant do you work at?

[Omaha Steve]

19. Mo River on S 10th St

Small world. :P

[progressiveinaction]

20. More like the MO Ocean

but getting better every time I see it.

[Omaha Steve]

22. Welcome to the DU btw

I've been here since 04.

I've been on light duty at work since December of 2010. Another shoulder surgery. Pinched nerve in neck. MRSA. I'm in work hardening therapy 5 afternoons a week.

[progressiveinaction]

21. More like the Mo Ocean

but getting better every time I drive by.

[etherealtruth]

18. Dangerous, dangerous work

Be careful