BLUFFTON, S.C. (WJCL) -- A construction worker was injured after an inflatable pipe plug exploded on a construction site on the University of South Carolina Beaufort south campus.
The worker is a diver for Majer's Divers and Salvage Inc. He was conscious, yet disoriented, according to firefighters. First responders decided it would be safest to airlift him to Savannah's Memorial University Medical Center for treatment. His condition is not yet known.
Construction workers were doing pipe work underneath a parking lot being built on the USCB Bluffton campus, when that inflatable pipe plug exploded.
Mike Majer, the owner of Majer's Divers and Salvage Inc., said the equipment was faulty, specifically the pressure gauge on the pipe plug. The pipe plug works to block out water so that work can be done in the area.
Vice Chancellor for Advancement Lynne McGee said the school told students to evacuate the Student Center at 10:28 a.m. and an all clear was given around 10:37 a.m. She said no students or faculty were near the parking lot at the time of the explosion.
OSHA is not investigating as of Tuesday night, but says they are looking into the matter. OSHA says it will only automatically investigate when there is a fatality or at least 3 people injured at a construction site accident.
