Workers Injured at Stadium

ARLINGTON -- Two workers were injured at Cowboys Stadium on Thursday morning when they fell from the roof to a lower level, said Tiara Richard Ellis, Arlington police spokeswoman.

An Arlington Fire Department spokesman said the men were doing maintenance on the top hatch of the stadium when they slipped.

He said the workers were not wearing safety harnesses and described their injuries as severe.

The accident happened about 7 a.m., fire officials said.

The men fell an estimated 50 to 75 feet, officials said. The injuries included broken bones, said Don Crowson, Arlington assistant fire chief. But the accident could have been much worse -- the roof rises some 300 feet above the ground.

"It's a cold morning. There was ice on the roof. It's a very dangerous and slippery environment up there," Crowson said. "They were lucky they hit the bottom of the roof and didn't fall off."

The most-seriously injured man was transported to a hospital by air ambulance about 8:50 a.m.

Members of the Arlington Fire Department's technical rescue team could be seen on the top of the stadium during the rescue operation.

"Every rescue is dangerous for firefighters. It's a dangerous environment up there but our people are well trained. They used safety equipment to keep themselves and the patients safe," Crowson said.

Crowson said the men were lowered from where they fell.

Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said investigators were at the stadium Thursday morning looking into the incident.

The stadium, which opened for the 2009 season, has had its share of accidents, including one fatality. An electrician was killed in June 2008 when he touched a high-voltage line.

Since work began on the $1.1 billion stadium project in April 2006, 175 incidents had been reported through May 2008, an official with general contractor Manhattan Construction said last year.

Those incidents included minor scratches, broken bones, and eye irritation.

Manhattan initiated new safety procedures in May 2008 after a sharp increase in the accidents. The company was in a partnership with OSHA to provide extra safety training for employees.

OSHA investigated two previous major accidents at the site. In January 2007, a worker fell through a hole, and the contractor, Capform, was fined $10,000.

Later that year, a man was hit in the back with a crane hook. OSHA found no violations but issued the employer, also Capform, a warning letter.

Staff writer Susan Schrock contributed to this report, which contains material from the Star-Telegram archives.