Worker Dies Victim of Electrical Shock at Arena Pantanal

05/09/2014 - 09h13

One worker died yesterday morning (8) after being electrocuted at the site of Arena Pantanal, one of the World Cup venues, in Cuiabá (MT).

Muhammad'Ali Maciel Afonso, 32, worked on the electrical installation of the outside hall of the arena box located at the East sector of the stadium, around 10:40am (local time).

According to Secopa-MT (Mato Grosso's Special FIFA World Cup Secretariat), the worker was on a staircase and fell immediately after the discharge.

Co-workers assisted him on site.

Soon after, two Samu (ambulance team) and the firefighters went to his aid.

The cardiac reanimation procedure took 40 minutes, informed Secopa, however, Afonso did not resist the injury and died.

The area was isolated so a technical police investigation can be done to determine the cause of death.

Afonso worked for Etel - a company hired to set up the electrical, sound and video installation.

According to Secopa, the company was expected to issue a statement on his death on the same day.

The worker is said to be using all safety equipment.

According to Ministry of Labour chief investigator José Almeida, the evidences suggest the victim was not doing the job he was hired for and he did not have the protective equipment required.

Afonso was an assembler, but he was working as an electrician.

"The worker was connecting two wires. There was an electrical shock through his body. He didn't survive", said Almeida.

He emphasized it is a preliminary information that will be confirmed after the investigation done by the ministry.

"The equipment found next to the victim's body was not specific for electrical works", he stated. He added the worker was not using proper gloves.

Almeida said the Arena's electrical installation was temporarily interrupted until the company proves there is no risk to the worker's lives.

Etel informed Afonso was a qualified electrician and the company will assist his family.

The head of Secopa-MT Maurício Guimarães said he will wait for the investigation results to identify the responsible for his death.

DEATH AT THE ARENAS

This is the first death registered at the Arena Pantanal, described as 98% completed.

Last October, a fire damaged its West sector, but no one was hurt.

Muhammad'Ali Maciel Afonso is the ninth worker to die in accidents during the construction of stadiums for the World Cup.

Arena Amazonas has the highest number of deaths: four. Itaquerão (SP), the stadium that will host the tournament opener, is second with three fatalities, followed by Arena Mané Garrincha, in Brasília, where one worker died.

Translated by JULIANA CALDERARI

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