By Angelina LeTellier
West Hempstead Water District officials discussed worker safety during an Oct. 14 board meeting following the death of a construction worker in a water main break near Roosevelt Field Mall.
The incident occurred Oct. 9 beneath Ring Road in East Garden City, between Stewart Avenue and Zeckendorf Boulevard. Rafael Peralta, 56, of West Babylon, died after becoming submerged in water while working underground. His coworkers pulled him from the excavation, and he was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to news reports.
Commissioner Carl Kolansky, who said he was at the scene, described the dangers associated with water main repairs and emphasized that workers cannot always anticipate changing conditions.
“I just wanted to make it apparent how dangerous this work is,” Kolansky said. “I think sometimes we take for granted that when we go out, everything is just going to be status quo.”
Kolansky explained that West Hempstead Water District employees also enter excavations to repair broken water mains and maintain underground pipes. These repairs are necessary to maintain water service, but they can expose workers to unexpected conditions underground.
During the meeting, board members questioned what may have caused the water main to break. One official raised the possibility that a valve had failed while the worker was inside the excavation. However, Kolansky cautioned that the explanation had not been confirmed, and the board did not determine the cause of the break.
Commissioners also discussed how quickly conditions can change during underground repairs. When a water main breaks, water can enter an excavation and put workers at risk before they have time to react. Unlike repairs performed above ground, work inside an excavation can leave employees with limited space to move when an emergency occurs.
Commissioner Kenneth P. Wenthen, Jr. acknowledged the risks associated with the work.
“It does sound dangerous,” Wenthen said.
“Yes, certainly it is,” Commissioner John Sparacio responded.
The fatal incident involved a private contractor hired by Roosevelt Field to repair a private water main and hydrant on the mall’s property. The Town of Hempstead Water Department assisted in shutting off the water main, according to News 12. The work was unrelated to the West Hempstead Water District’s operations.
Although the incident did not involve the West Hempstead Water District, the discussion allowed commissioners to address the risks associated with similar work performed by their employees.
The conversation also emphasized the importance of recognizing the potential hazards crews face when responding to water main breaks and performing underground repairs.
District officials did not announce any changes to existing safety procedures during the Oct. 14 meeting.
