Home > Waco Breaking News > Archives > 2008 > August > 01 > Entry
Construction worker dies after fall from Waco building
Police are investigating after a construction worker fell to his death this afternoon.
Gregorio Gutierrez, 51, of Dallas, was working at 1:20 p.m. on the roof of the new Coca-Cola distribution center, 2700 Central Texas Parkway, when the incident happened, Waco police spokesman Steve Anderson said. Gutierrez was employed by B&R Development in Hutchins.
Gutierrez was working on the center’s roof when a gust of wind knocked him off, and he fell 30 to 35 feet to his death, Anderson said.
Gutierrez was wearing a safety harness because of the height at which he was working, but the harness had not been hooked to the safety rigging when he fell, Anderson said.
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Comments
By Fred
August 1, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
Coca-Cola should be considered “at fault” for not insisting that the roof workers use all safty precautions. It’s like a Fireman without a helmet or a Policeman without a vest.
By Rick
August 1, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Sure, it’s Coca-Cola’s fault…hellO…McFly!!!!. B&R Development probably had him go through training but HE decided he knew better. When is it ever YOUR fault? Safety begins with something too many lack today, COMMON SENSE. Why do they have to warn someone not to use a hair dryer in the shower? Enough with you fools, you’re using up our air!
By Rick
August 1, 2008 9:23 PM | Link to this
Sure, it’s Coca-Cola’s fault…hellO…McFly!!!!. B&R Development probably had him go through training but HE decided he knew better. When is it ever YOUR fault? Safety begins with something too many lack today, COMMON SENSE. Why do they have to warn someone not to use a hair dryer in the shower? Enough with you fools, you’re using up our air!
By JR
August 1, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this
It was his fault. He was an adult and he shouldn’t have to be reminded like a little kid to do something.
By Rick
August 1, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
OH…I clicked on the “post” button twice. Must have been the Waco Tribunes fault.
By geedurol
August 1, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
coca cola is mos evil terroists in wurl killin more chilren den hitler stalin could have dreamed of wit sweet poison gateway drug 2 otter adictive garbage
By Kris
August 1, 2008 11:16 PM | Link to this
WTF….geedurol…are you on something???? how about some respect for the human being who lost his life and the people involved instead of trying to be judge and jury on an incident that none of you obviously know anything about.
By Allen
August 1, 2008 11:27 PM | Link to this
Actually, both the General Contractor ” BARSH” and the Subcntractor “B & R Development” are likely at fault. It is the responsibilty of the General Contrractor to see that safety proceedures are followed regardless of who is involved. Given that “BARSH” had a fatal accident of their own employee just last week this death makes the second on a BARSH project in as many weeks. Obviously, this points in a likely direction of responsibility. This also makes one question whether or not they have an active safety program, whether or not the project(s)is behind schedule thus causing a rush atmosphere.
Coca Cola may be killing us with their products but they are most likely not at fault, although some schister attorney will drag them into the mix just for the deep pocket.
I would not want to be on a BARSH project right now as I am sure there are safety issues out there waiting to cause injury. My condolences to the family of this man, they deserved for him to return home from work today.
By Kris
August 1, 2008 11:52 PM | Link to this
Obviously you “think” you are very knowledgable in these types of situations….from experience perhaps of your own. It is very easy to sit back and point a finger in a situation like this and “mouth” as you have about a very reputable company in Waco. You should be ashamed of yourself for trying to “blame” someone…that is the easy man’s way out.
By Allen
August 2, 2008 6:17 AM | Link to this
Kris, trust me I am not trying to place the blame on anyone. My level of knowledge or experience are not in question here; this is not rocket science. Two deaths on seperate projects in two weeks under the control of the same General Constractor points to a source of the problem.
If a company, no matter how reputable, does not instill safety as a way of life in their employees then situations like this occur. It’s great to be busy and experience rapid growth but not at the cost of human life.
BARSH and B & R Developement should be relieved that these deaths did not occur in Travis County as the District Attorney actively prosecutes contruction deaths as a criminal matter.
Once again my concern is not for the companies involved but rather, those families that now must fill the void left by the unnecessary death of their loved ones.
It’s all about accountability not the individual company!!
By Rick
August 2, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
My apologies… of course my condolances go out to the family. But again, no fault for the victim? Verbally remind, verbally warn, first written warning with retraining, second written warning with retraining (explaining final warning will include termination), final warning with termination. Now they claim the company has no feeling to the needs of the working man, “he has a family to support!” Then the next bleeding heart comes along and forces the company to take him back. Everyone is accountable but the individual. Were is Flip Wilson when you need him, “The devil made me do it!”
By Jason
August 2, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Barsh is one of the most reputable general contractors in town, if not THE most. They have regular and routine safety briefings and training for all of their field employees. At the end of the day, the men running the rafters or scaling the scaffolding must fasten their own safety harnesses.
No one is belittling the tragic loss of life in this case, nor the one a couple of weeks ago. No one should be trying to find a scapegoat, either. Both are freak accidents.
Could they both have been prevented? Absolutely! But not by anything that the general contractor could have done.
In one case, a welder walked under a beam he had just tacked up, and the weld broke. Is that Barsh’s fault?
In this case, a SUB-CONTRACTOR had not secured his own safety harness, which he WAS wearing when he was blown off the roof. Is that Barsh’s fault?
If a carpenter using a nail gun fires a 6-penny nail into his foot, is that his boss’s fault?
The answer to all of these questions is: not no, but HELL NO.
We must stop trying to blame others for each and every misfortune and start taking responsibility for everything that happens in our lives.
By Rick
August 3, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
An investigation to this accident will be on the way by OSHA and the facts should come out. I can not say I know what happened in this tragic accident. I only comment from my experience with safety and OSHA regulations. I am the manager who employs various methods to heighten awareness of safety on the job ranging from safety bingo for fun to warning letters and terminations that ovbviously are not fun. Training sessions and videos each month throughout the facility. Yet if I am on one side of the plant and an employee is injured on the other, it is my fault? Believe me, after the injury I am searching for how could it have been prevented….. but sometimes it is just people are careless. Jason thank you. Good to know there are more thinkers out here.
By arturo
August 4, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
it was an accident show some respect for my uncle he was a great man and did not deserve this and we dont need anything from any one
By arturo
August 4, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
show some respect for my uncle he was a great man he never asked for any thing we dont need any thing from any one it was just an accident you people dont know anything about what happened let him rest in peace
By Rick
August 6, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
Arturo… my condolances, no disrespect intended to your uncle nor your family. You are correct, we do not know.