Saturday, May 24, 2008
A 15-story crane capable of lifting 100 tons fell on its side at a constrution site at the Iatan II power plant Friday morning, killing one worker and injuring three others. According to Kansas City Power and Light spokespeople, the crane toppled as it was being lowered after wind tests determined gusts exceeded safe operating speed.
IATAN, Mo. - A worker was killed and three others were injured in a crane accident Friday morning at the construction site of the new Iatan II power plant, in northern Platte County. The site is a few miles north of Weston, Mo.
All four employees worked for Alstom or one of Alstom's subcontractors. Alstom is the main contractor on the Iatan II plant, said Matt Tidwell, communications director for Kansas City Power & Light. Three employees were transported to area hospitals with injuries that were believed to be nonlife-threatening, Mr. Tidwell said. One of those employees already had been released Friday, he said.
The name of one injured man has been released. John Micheals, was in the hospital with nonlife-threatening injuries Friday, said Mr. Tidwell. Mr. Micheals worked for Aerotek, a subcontractor.
The accident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. Friday as the boom of a large crane was raised to test wind speeds, Mr. Tidwell said. The wind speed precluded safe operations, he said. The accident happened as the boom was being lowered, Mr. Tidwell said. He had no information on wind speeds or further details about the accident.
The National Weather Service at Pleasant Hill, Mo., reported that wind speeds in the area of Iatan were at 14 mph for sustained winds.
The Iatan II construction site is spread over a large tract adjacent to the present Iatan I power plant. The site contains a large amount of equipment and cranes.
The construction site was shut down Friday and all construction employees were released following the accident, Mr. Tidwell said. The accident didn't threaten the existing power plant, which continued normal operations Friday, he said.
KCP&L began an investigation with Alstom to determine the cause. Officials have released no indication of what caused the accident. Inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration were on site beginning their investigation Friday. Last year, two workers died at an explosion at the plant.
The parent company of KCP&L is building the facility in Platte County. Alstom is a French company with global operations involving transportation and energy infrastructure.
The plant, which supplies electricity to Kansas City and St. Joseph, is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2010.
Marshall White can be reached at marshall@npgco.com.
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