Mystery surrounds CityCenter fatality

Investigation under way in electrician’s fall — fifth death at project

Tue, Apr 29, 2008 (2 a.m.)

Construction Deaths

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

An electrician fell to his death at MGM Mirage’s CityCenter work site Saturday.

Mark Wescoat, 47, of New Jersey became the fifth worker to die at the $8 billion project. Five other workers have died in construction accidents in other Strip building projects over the past 17 months. That figure exceeds the number of fatalities during the entire 1990s Strip building boom and has baffled national safety experts.

Details about Wescoat’s death are murky. His family, based in New Jersey and Chicago, has spent the days since he died searching for information.

What’s known is this: Wescoat worked at CityCenter for subcontractor Fisk Electric Co., headquartered in Houston. He had recently begun to take on overtime work.

He checked in at Pelli Tower at 6 a.m. Saturday. However, he never made it to his crew’s morning safety meeting. Instead, he was found at about 6:30 a.m. slumped over a 2-foot wall on the 25th floor. He was taken to University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Sources involved in investigating the death said Wescoat appears to have fallen about 20 to 25 feet from an area of the 27th floor protected by a guardrail.

Many details are unclear, including what Wescoat was doing in that work area at the beginning of his shift, and why he fell.

“It’s inconclusive what caused the fall,” said David Jones, the business manager and financial secretary of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 357.

The local is conducting an investigation, as is the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The family’s efforts to understand what happened appear to have received little help from the investigative agencies and the companies involved. OSHA would not comment the investigation to the Sun. A spokesman for Fisk Electric also declined to comment. Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison confirmed that Wescoat had fallen to his death but did not have additional information.

MGM Mirage offered only scant information.

“An investigation is under way to determine what happened as best they can, and whether this was work related or not,” MGM Mirage spokesman Gordon Absher said.

OSHA cited Fisk Electric for two safety violations two years ago after an accident at the Palms. However, OSHA deleted the citations during an informal conference with Fisk. The Sun reported in March that the agency commonly has withdrawn citations during informal conferences with employers following accident investigations on Strip construction sites.

Last year, four employees died in three accidents at CityCenter. In each case, OSHA investigators found numerous safety violations, including unprotected holes and a lack of emphasis on worker training.

Workers have described to the Sun a work site made difficult by crowded crews working round the clock to construct six towers at once in time for the ambitious opening date of November 2009. MGM Mirage maintains the project’s general contractor, Perini Building Co., has kept the work site as safe as possible given the volume of construction. CityCenter is the most expensive private commercial development in U.S. history.

At the request of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, safety experts from the affiliated Center for Construction Research and Training met with local union and Perini representatives last week to talk about root causes of safety problems at CityCenter.

Wescoat’s family said he’d come to Las Vegas about a year ago. He was based in Vineland, N.J., where he grew up, but he traveled constantly for work.

Wescoat became an electrician in 1984 after going to school for computer digital electronics, his brother, Steven Wescoat, said Monday. That background helped him. Mark and Steve Wescoat decided together to become electricians, but Mark was accepted into his apprenticeship program right away. Four years passed before Steve was granted a coveted and difficult-to-obtain spot.

While Steve was content to stay and find work in South Jersey, Mark Wescoat loved to discover new cities.

“He was kind of a free spirit,” Wescoat said.

Mark’s wife, Susan Wescoat, has serious health problems and stayed with family in Chicago while Wescoat worked throughout the country.

Susan Wescoat said the couple were looking forward to her visit to Las Vegas on Thursday. She said she was already packed. The couple had snagged a free weekend at the Stratosphere and $600 in slot play, she said.

“ ‘He said, ‘I can’t believe you’re coming. This is going to be so great,’ ” Susan Wescoat said of a conversation with her husband the night before he died. “Everything was going right.”

Discussion: 25 comments so far…

By mikeg

4/29/08 at 10:43 a.m.

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Sometimes on construction sites, accidents happen and people die. Google, or better yet, Wiki the recorded history of construction. It's unfortunate but not a conspiracy. Not a riddle wrapped in a mystery hidden in an enigma.

I don't know which result is worse for Greenspun Media, Harrah's throwing a temper tantrum and pulling their ads, or the loss of readership you get from these dull, tired blahstories.

That picture of Avril Lavigne is sooo much more intriguing than this story. Which is sad.
By sabien73

4/29/08 at 3:08 p.m.

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who do you think you are? this poor man just lost his life leaving his family behind and you have the audacity to relate a picture of some teeny bopper musician.
im a general contractor myself and albeit I havnt been hurt on the job I can muster up some sympathy for this man and I suggest you do the same, less you're to involved in your avril pictures.
By georgelasalle

4/29/08 at 6:34 p.m.

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Maybe listening To Avril Lavigne Dulled mikeg Senses..Skater Boy..Are You Ten..It Is All About The Money And Time Restraints On These Rush Jobs ..Not Safety..I Am Glad That An Investigation Is Going On..If Someone Is Cutting Corners To Save Time On These Jobs..Like More Construction Workers And Less safety Inspectors..They Should Be Fined heavily..And In This Case No Eye Witnesses..And No Conspiracys In Vegas..Vegas Was Built On Murder And Payoffs ..
By Sue_A

4/29/08 at 8:55 p.m.

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Mark Wescoat was one of my dearest friends.

How dare you, mikeg, trivialize his death, and disrespect his family, with your idiotic comments?

As anyone who knew Mark will attest, he was VERY attentive to detail, and I am sure would not have done anything to compromise his safety, or that of those around him.

I have spoken with his family, and fully support them in their demand for answers in this tragedy. One death alone is one too many. But five--just on this site?

'Mark the Shark' was such a wonderful person, and brought so much joy into the lives of his friends and family. His passing has left a big hole in my heart.
By fenyxfx

4/30/08 at 5:43 a.m.

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I pray I'm not adding to any unfound rumors but I work at the same site as Mark and while I did not know him, I was privy of his passing that morning. I work in a position where such information and related details are quickly divulged/overheard by myself when management has to call or radio anyone concerning these incidents. The day this happened a foreman alerted me of the situation and the following story was relayed:

Mark was working on an electrical box that was somehow still charged and was shocked, knocking him back. This positioned him for his fall (whether over a railing or through a hole or stairway was uncertain at the time). He fell 3 stories (approx. 20 feet). Some time passed before he was found because he was working without a partner on a Saturday (only a handful of workers were there from each trade). There was an attempt at resuscitation and the ambulance arrived. During the drive he flat-lined and was pronounced at the hospital.
I do not claim that these details are hard and fast facts but they have not yet been corrected here to my knowledge.

I do not subscribe to ideas of conspiracy either but I do know this project has seen some egregious misinformation passed to the public.

For example, there have been more than 5 deaths attributed to this site. Technicalities have kept them from being publicly reported as City Center related deaths. Regardless, there is no conspiracy here, just a business trying to work the media in its favor as much as possible to save face. Nothing less than any other corporate entity would attempt I'm sure.

To Mark's friends and family I offer my heartfelt condolences and my promise that I will work with whomever possible to make sure the correct information in this and all such cases is presented as I did for David Rabun's family.
By aliceibew

4/30/08 at 9:19 a.m.

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i work on that site. been there 6 months. i did not know mark .but i been rushed myself. near the end of the day we are told to button things up fast. not in a nice way. as a girl i do what i am told. if i dont i will be put on another job.there is dust on the floors all over. rails that shake. people over top of u dropping stuff.just to many people on that job.and we should not be working alone when connecting wires in a box. like georgelasalle stated in his comment. NO EYE WITNESSES.if you live here go take a look for your self.most of the time u could just walk in . the comment that mikeg made about a conspiracy. not one yet but could be. i am sure cover ups are going on everyday.and mikeg when a person dies.dont comment on some so called star picture of avril Lavigne in fishnets.save that for the strip.you dont want to piss off the I.B.E.W
By bigapplesidekick

4/30/08 at 11:11 a.m.

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35 years in the construction business, Mark Wescoat was one of the best/kind/fun guys I ever worked with.
I feel really sad for his family.
By casinokid

4/30/08 at 11:47 a.m.

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It sounds like mark was my kind of people hard working, loving family man, trying to get ahead.
I was never in the construction trade but i worked as a catgorey 2 electician for 15 years in a manufacting plant. and now i work in the railroad industry when these accidents occur they are always unforgiving, with the loss of life being the worst and or having to deal with a career change as a result.
with the antisipating visit of his spouse you have to consider did mark go on a " mental vacation " meaing was he distracted from the normal procedures of deenergizing the circuit before working on it.
Mental vactions also effected people fixing to retire or a upcoming cookout, weddings etc.
one thing is for sure mark will be missed by his family and friends.
By ThePlumbersWife

4/30/08 at 3:58 p.m.

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My husband is not on that job but he is at another Strip project Encore towers. NOONE wants to go to the City Center and the union guys (and girls) that I have heard talking would rather be a hall rat and wait or pass the job to another and wait till the next day to NOT have to go to City Center.
I don't think it was a conspiracy, thats crazy he was an electrician NOT a mobster come on now. I heard that people think he leaned up against something and lost his footing and fell over or it was loose and fell through it.
They just lost a guy that had a HAMMER dropped on his head a few more plumbers that fell to their deaths too. I am not some weirdo that believes in ghosts and crap BUT can you imagine the uneasy feeling that place is going to have when or IF it does finally open. I feel for you men and women that do work there. Please keep in mind people that DO NOT work there ... Saturdays are OT days that a lot of them welcome BUT are hard for some crews to get he was probably busting A$$ trying to get the job done and get OT to have more money for when his wife came and lost his footing or did take a mental vacation as one person said. Those people on the crews work HARD and it is NOT air conditioned and the dirt and ust is nasty. RIP and your wife now has an angel to watch over her health and be with her always in spirit. I hope the other electricians are chipping in to help pay the funeral bills and to fly him back home and taking care of his wife in this time of need. I know my husband chips in when a "brother/sister" is lost on the job....Don't forget to do it...one day it might be you...don't leave your family in need your union brothers and sisters are there to help.

Zara Anderson
By Bugsy1

4/30/08 at 7:33 p.m.

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You know, it is a tragedy that that man lost his life, BUT if you don't want to start any rumors, than why are you fenyxfx? You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about!! Why on earth would you make a comment like that and upset his family for no reason?! His death was an accident and I realize that too many people have lost their lives at City Center, which is unfortunate also, but don't say things that you don't know anything about. Also, the man that got hit in the head with the hammer DID NOT DIE. It is true that what happened to Mark Wescoat is unclear, there were no witnesses, unlike what people have said. Unless you were right there at the scene, I would suggest you keep your comments to yourself.
By fenyxfx

5/1/08 at 5:40 a.m.

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Bugsy you are correct. I was not there. I was in the adjacent building when this happened. I was with our electricians' foreman as he was receiving word when they found Mark. His people told him what they thought happened based on what they could see at the time. Without an investigation this is purely speculation.

I just wanted to get the information I had out there because I know NV OSHA has a running history now of retracting its findings after dealing with the named at-fault companies (read the related topic "Construction Deaths"). That combined with the fact that unions and companies here have openly stated the rash of deaths and injuries lately are entirely workers' faults all the while I hear daily from foremen and workers alike about how corners are cut and safety issues are ignored because companies won't provide material, equipment or flatly instruct to ignore the issue (i.e. live electrical cords all over the floor with not one suspended overhead or hung on walls per OSHA requirements). Then I watch OSHA officials literally step over some of these problems during their "surprise" inspections without pointing them out (you should see the superintendents sweat when they hear OSHA is coming). I feel obliged to make sure families know what is going on before findings are scrapped or media statements are made prematurely or after-the-fact to begin "damage control".

As, hopefully, everyone knows, don't blindly believe everything you read. Even take my words with a grain of salt. I'm sure I'm biased and despite my efforts it does affect my commentary. Just be cognizant that a lot is at stake in projects of this magnitude. They expect a certain number of injuries and deaths and budget accordingly. That does not mean these companies are going to lay down and accept blame without a fight.

Take this to heart. Nearly a dozen deaths can be attributed to City Center and Cosmopolitan. The official count is less than half that because the deaths, while in direct result of the injuries sustained on-site, occurred off-site at hospitals and thus are not part of the statistics.

Rumors are one thing. Unpopular information is another. "Adjusted" information is yet another. Our unfortunate task is to determine the difference amidst the onslaught of information thrown at us.
By Jeffweber

5/1/08 at 7:12 a.m.

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It's always a sad shame when a workers death involves uncertainty.
I know that Mark's family is deeply concerned what happened to him and why. Thank you fenyxfx for the explanation of what happened.

With 5 deaths at the construction of this casino, it's a wonder that OSHA has NOT shut down this construction. It pains me to wonder what the hell these people are thinking as safety experts.

Wake up OSHA and Las Vegas Officials, you have a severe problem in town.
People are being murdered by the lack of safety in these construction efforts. How many more deaths will you accept before anything is done to correct these egregious occurrences.

My cousin was a great person who would give you the shirt off his back.
I know in my heart that "Shark" took all safety concerns into account and applied them to the best of his abilities in all his jobs. But, there is something just not right here, and we need to find out what, so as to avert anymore deaths.

OSHA is going to have to dig through the contractors and casino's "damage control". I implore the federal, state and city officials to investigate this death and all the others with great expediency and effort.

Rest in peace, Mark!! We'll find out what happened to you, and not rest until we do.
By Bugsy1

5/1/08 at 9:59 a.m.

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Again, as I stated, you are spreading rumors, fenyxfx. Unless you were right there at the scene, not in another building at the site, because if you've seen the City Center site, it is huge, could you even know the correct circumstances other than by hear say. I happen to know for a fact that your information is WRONG! Again, as I stated, there were no witnesses, so to speculate about what happened is foolish. I believe that the authorities, MGM, Perini Building Company (general contractor on the project), the IBEW, and OSHA are doing everything in their power to find out what happened to Mark. I do agree that OSHA has to do something about the safety on these construction sites.

My thoughts and prayers are with Mark's family and do hope they find out happened to him very soon.
By aliceibew

5/1/08 at 1:03 p.m.

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There Has Been 10 construction fatalities on the Las Vegas Strip during the last 17 months. That’s more deaths than occurred throughout the entire 1990s Strip building boom. Next week, May 5-11, is Building Safety Week. It gives us pause for reflection. At what point do we say enough is enough? And where in the hell has the Occupational Safety and Health Administration been during these incidents? Their presence is felt only after a fatality has happened. Would more regular inspections force crews to change their jobsite practices? Or, more to the point, why have crews abandoned their normal safety procedures?

Nearly all of the construction on the Strip is performed by unionized labor that has undergone rigorous apprenticeship and safety training. It’s mandatory. But time is money in Vegas. And nowhere on earth is that more apparent than on the Strip. The sooner a casino opens; the sooner it makes money. Gaming giants have consequently shown little remorse over the loss of life. On the other hand, they're plenty annoyed over the bad publicity. They fuel fast-track schedules by paying thousands in bonuses for early completion. Conversely, they also penalize contractors thousands of dollars each day if things run behind schedule. Speedy delivery wins the job, regardless of the consequences. If a contractor wants the work, then safety citations and violations are acceptable. There’s money to be made.

Yet construction workers are willing accomplices. Many ambitious craftsmen willingly volunteer for overtime and weekend hours, clocking in 50 and 60-hour weeks, in exchange for a swollen weekly paycheck. CityCenter, for instance, has a daily payroll in the millions. It’s tough to be rested, aware and safe when working nonstop. Safety, however, in many respects, is a cultural phenomenon.

But will there be enough construction tradesmen left to man the jobs? Everyone has a price. And the price of life is being determined daily on Las Vegas Strip.
By aliceibew

5/1/08 at 1:07 p.m.

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Dwelling too much on what happens after an accident is almost blasphemy among some of the industry's hard-core safety adherents. Contractors claim zero tolerance for safety risks and projects visibly promote their number of "accident-free" days. The idea of preparing for an accident seems to undermine that iron-clad commitment to safety.

"I'd rather talk about prevention," replied one safety official who asked not to be named.

Yet jobsite accidents, injuries and deaths remain a fact of construction life, with annual U.S. fatality numbers stubbornly exceeding 1,000 since 1994.

Construction sites are inherently dangerous places with a fluid environment of people constantly coming and going, including subcontractors, suppliers, and part-time help. Heavy machinery, designed to tear, cut, dig, lift and pull, operates around the clock. Workers, as a result, must use good communication skills while maintaining a heightened awareness of their surroundings. It can be a tall order when performing physically demanding labor for 10 hours or more each day in 110-degree weather.

Safety is often handled differently from project to project depending on the contractor and owner. Many firms employ dedicated safety professionals to ensure secure working conditions through inspections, citations, and routine meetings to review work hazards. Some firms even offer cash incentives or raffle prizes for accident-free work.

Certainly, accidents are unwanted by everyone: contractors, owners and workers. It brings undesired publicity, slows construction progress and dampens worker morale. Incidents can additionally increase financing requirements and insurance premiums, making it more costly to do business.
By georgelasalle

5/1/08 at 6:13 p.m.

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I Am Pleased That No Other Comments Are Being made Like The first One..This Case Is Worth An Investigation..For The Simple Fact That there Are No Eyewitnesses And That On This 8.4 Billion Dollar..68-acre Project He was Alone..I Dont Think There Is Some Kind Of Conspiracy But Cover Ups Could happen..So Questions Need To Be Asked..This Is Not A Boring Story As Mikeg Suggest..With This kind Of Story With Comments Anyone Can Post..Answers Could Be Found..So Mikeg Before You Post A Comment.. Remember Where You Are..If You Want To Suggest That The Soft Porn Picture Of Avril Lavigne is sooo much more intriguing than this story..Youre Not Gone To Have To Many Friends In Jersey..
By georgelasalle

5/1/08 at 6:29 p.m.

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And For The casinokid,s Comment about Mark Having A " mental vacation " meaing was he distracted from the normal procedures..I Think You missed Your Ride On The Hail Bob comet Back In 97
By mikegfriend

5/2/08 at 5:46 a.m.

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I Apalgize For My Friend mikeg,s comment..I know he wont.I know him.No one should generalize anyones death and for sure not make a retarded comment about Some pop stars looks..I Wish You All The Best On Finding Some Answers.Many of mikeg,s comments have been removed .That alone tells the whole story.
By bessiegorgo

5/2/08 at 7:41 a.m.

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I truly feel sorry for you mikeg. How you can think so little of the loss of life? Mark was my cousin and like a brother to me, as are Roger and Steven. They lost a brother, Susan lost a husband and my poor aunt lost a son. I pray that you never have to experience the loss of a child. I can't even imagine what she is going through. Mark had countless aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. You could not even fathom just how many lives he touched. He was a caring, compassionate man who was always there when needed. They're all that way. We can always count on "the boys" as they are affectionately known to so many. Mark will leave a lasting impression on all the lives that he touched. Mark, we miss you and love you dearly.
By MARKQ

5/2/08 at 1:59 p.m.

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THANKS TO THE SUN AND ALEXANDRA FOR THE WORD MYSTERY HEADLINING THIS ARTICLE.
MY SYMPATHYS TO MARKS FAMILY ---LIFE IS SHORT AND TODAY IS ALL WE ARE SURE OF DON'T WASTE IT!
I AM AN ELECTRICIAN ,A MEMBER OF MARK AND STEVES LOCAL UNION IN SOUTH JERSEY SINCE 1979.
I LIKE THAT A DISCUSSION IS STARTING IN REGARDS
TO THE WAY MARKS DEATH OCCURED.IT IS IMPORTANT
THAT THE FAMILY LEARN EXACT UNTAINTED DETAILS.
I JUST WANT TO SAY IN REGARDS TO THE OSHA COMMENTS THAT YEARS AGO REAGAN IN HIS INFINATE WISDOM TOOK AWAY MOST OF OSHA'S POWER DURING HIS ADMINISTRATION. I HAVEN'T SEEN A "SURPRISE" OSHA WALK ON SITE INSPECTION IN MANY YEARS.I HAVE SEEN A FEW PRE ANNOUNCED WALK ONS AND MAN DO YOU HAVE TO STAND CLEAR FOR THE DAYS PRECEDING OR ELSE YOU'LL GET HURT FROM THE GUYS JAZZING UP THE SITE!!
LISTEN AS A UNION ELECTRICIAN AND MAYBE SOME OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAN VOUCH FOR THIS--WE SIGN A BOAT LOAD OF PAPERS-- MOSTLY TO PROTECT CONTRACTORS-- AS SOON AS WE ARE HIRED.IT TAKES HOURS AND THE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT PACES WHILE WE READ IT AND SIGN IT.BUT IT HAS BECOME THE MOST COMMON DETAIL NEXT TO SIGNING IN AT THE HALL.TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SOMETIME AND YOU'LL SEE THAT BASICLY YOUR SIGNING PAPERS THAT WILL ALLOW A CONTRACTOR TO SURVIVE ACCIDENTS WITHOUT EXPLANATION (YOU'RE AT FAULT) AND EVEN DEATH WITH A SUBMITTED "ROOT CAUSE"FILLED OUT BY GUESS WHO----THE CONTRACT SUPERVISION!
STAY SAFE MY FRIENDS AND UNION FAMILY MEMBERS.
IT IS ONLY UP TO US THERE ISN'T ANY OSHA OR CONTRACTOR OR PROJECT OWNER THAT WILL TAKE A LEAD WHEN IT COMES TO OWNING UP TO ANY LOSS BE IT MONEY OR LIFE!
AND THANKS AGAIN ALEXANDRA,WE NEED PRESS TO UNCOVER "MYSTERY" TRUTHFULLY.
By aliceibew

5/2/08 at 2:09 p.m.

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thanks markq for the great facts.i work at that site.as a girl it is hard sometimes with the bosses.and i did sign papers and did not read all the fine print ,,but i need too the next time if they will give me enough time to read them.we hump at this site...alice
By fenyxfx

5/3/08 at 7:36 a.m.

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Just a thought but, on V'Dara tower the electricians all meet first thing each morning and check in then do their stretching routine. I don't know if Fisk has the same routine but if they do at least check in, someone had to see Mark before the accident. If they didn't someone would have probably tried calling to see if he was coming in. My point is, someone should have seen or heard from him. Who would that be and what insight might he have? Does anyone on this site know the Fisk crew from that Saturday? They should at least be able to say why and for how long he was alone.

I'm sure investigators have asked these questions but considering all we've been hearing, I prefer the horse's mouth over an official statement. If anywhere this is a good enough place to let it be known.
By MARKQ

5/3/08 at 1:44 p.m.

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HEY VEGAS IS THERE ANY OTHER NEW OR BREAKING INFO IN REGARDS TO MARKS DEATH?
I'M HOPING THAT ANSWERS ARE COMING SOON !
WE HERE IN NJ ARE LIMITED TO THE SUN AS OUR RESOURCE RIGHT NOW.IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN LOOK AT THAT MIGHT HELP US LEARN OF HOW OUR FRIENDS DEATH MAY HAVE HAPPENED?
By fenyxfx

5/5/08 at 7:17 a.m.

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I know lasvegasnow.com had an article but I have not read it and do not know of any follow-ups.

ktnv.com had an article that was a misinformed mess. They mixed Mark's accident with and accident my friend suffered the same day. I've already called in a correction.

Aside from those I know no other sources. I think this forum and the workers commenting here are about as good as it gets unless you can reach an actual investigator that will speak to you.
By MARKQ

5/5/08 at 2:46 p.m.

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THANKS FENYXFX I'LL GIVE IT A TRY