Worker dies after falling through roof of Mississippi school; federal investigation under way

Published 3:10 pm Monday, December 23, 2024

Federal authorities are investigating the death of a 31-year-old man who fell while working on a roofing project at Crystal Springs Middle School in Mississippi.

Eduardo Cruz Moran, an employee of a private out-of-state contractor, fell through the roof of the school’s gymnasium on Friday. No students or staff were on campus at the time, as the school had dismissed early for the Christmas break.

WLBT in Jackson reports that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident and has already conducted interviews with company representatives and documented the scene.

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Moran was living with family in Irving, Texas, and his parents, who reside in Mexico, were notified of the tragedy.

The Copiah County School District confirmed it had no direct oversight of the construction site, as the contracting company managed the project selected through a bidding process. The district stated that the contractor was responsible for all aspects of the project.

Although the company’s name was not disclosed, OSHA has issued recommendations to the firm and begun implementing them. Workers were seen continuing repairs on Monday, with safety measures, including harnesses, being used.

The roof repairs are expected to be completed before students and staff return in January. School counselors will be available to address any questions or concerns students may have about the incident.

The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about workplace safety in the construction industry, and OSHA’s findings will likely determine if additional safety measures are required.