Landscaper electrocuted, dies in accident

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries is investigating the tragic workplace death of Terry Milbrad, 48, of Bothell, who died Sept. 6 while working in the 6000 block of East Mercer Way.

Hector Castro, spokesman for Labor and Industry, said the accident occurred at 1 p.m. Milbrad was working with a landscaping crew from American Landscaping of Bothell.

“He was up in a tree about 20 feet with a safety line and harness,” Castro said.

Castro said Milbrad was working with a gas-powered pole saw, a saw that is at the end of a long pole, when other workers heard a loud pop and saw Milbrad dangling from his safety line.

“It appears he came in contact with a power line,” Castro said.

The victim was taken to Harborview Medical Center, but he did not survive.

Castro said the department has six months to complete their investigation into the incident. Investigators from the department will speak to everyone who was there and look at how much and what kind of training Milbrad had to determine if there was any violation of state workplace safety laws.

Since Labor and Industry is an enforcement agency, they will cite American Landscaping if they find the company was not in compliance.

Castro said it’s usually the case that contractors and landscapers are more at risk of electrocution rather than line workers, because line workers have extensive training around electrical components.

 

Contact Mercer Island Reporter Staff Reporter Staff at editor@mi-reporter.com.

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