Eau Claire (WQOW) - A construction worker from Ellsworth was killed after equipment he was using came in contact with an overhead power line.
Joseph Janisch, 34, was electrocuted early Monday morning while replacing guard rail near Knapp. The equipment Janisch was working with is used to pull guard rail posts from the ground.
"It's one of these things not only for the drivers on the road but the construction workers themselves, we all have to be constantly aware of our surroundings and our environment to hopefully prevent a tragedy. This is one of those rare situations where unfortunately this person lost his life just doing his job in an unfortunate and a rare incident," says Sgt. Michael Marcks, Wisconsin State Patrol.
Janisch worked for Highway Technologies. OSHA will be investigating.
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Eau Claire (Press Release) - On 09-17-12 at approximately 7:20 a.m., the Wisconsin State Patrol responded to I-94 eastbound near milepost 39 for a report of a man who was lying on the ground unresponsive and had possibly been electrocuted.
Upon arrival, it was determined that a 34-year-old male from Ellsworth employed by Highway Technologies was working on replacing guard rails. He was in contact with a piece of construction equipment that struck an overhead power line.
He was transported to Mayo Hospital Menomonie where he died. OSHA will be investigating the incident. The name of the man is not being released at this time pending notification of the family.
