Elevator safety controls 'overridden' in fatal Alabama hospital accident

Decatur Morgan Hospital employee killed when freight elevator falls on him

By Healthcare Facilities Today


A report released from the Alabama Department of Labor said the freight elevator that killed a Decatur Morgan Hospital employee was “functioning as intended” and had “no violations to report,” according to an article on the Times Daily website.

According to Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn, the employee was working on a pump in the elevator shaft with two other men. At one point, the two others left to get supplies and when they came back, they found him trapped beneath the elevator, the article said.

Inspectors said in the report the elevator was blocked off and showed no signs of tampering, according to the article. The report said the mechanism designed to allow safe access to the elevator shaft was overridden. When active, the control would prevent elevator operation while the doors are open.

Because the controls had been overridden, the elevator was able to move, though the report  did not say what could have caused it to descend.

The elevator, which was used exclusively by employees, has been closed since the incident.

Hospital spokeswoman Leigh Hays declined to comment in the article whether the elevator will be reopened after the report.

Read the article.

 

 



November 18, 2013


Topic Area: Safety


Recent Posts

Inside One of Healthcare's Most Ambitious Hospital Projects 

When someone faces a serious medical condition, having access to world-class care close to home can make all the difference. 


Trauma-Informed Design Transforms Boston Homeless Shelter

Case study: A comprehensive renovation of St. Francis House makes use of trauma-informed design, infrastructure upgrades and operational improvements.


Disinfectant Contact Time: The Case for Biofilm Disruption

Contact time, while essential for compliance, does not reliably predict microbial reduction on actual healthcare surfaces.


Texas HHSC Reaches Construction Milestone for Panhandle State Hospital in Amarillo

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2027.


Mon General Succumbs to Phishing Cyberattack

Its investigation ultimately determined that an unauthorized party gained access to certain Mon General email mailboxes on May 6, 2026.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.