The worker suffered a laceration to his head and was treated on scene by Rural/Metro Corporation, a provider of medical transport and safety-related services, said Kevin Morrow, Syracuse University spokesman, in an e-mail interview. He was then taken to University Hospital after the 11:30 a.m. incident where he was released later that day and is now recovering, he said. 

 

Workers were throwing construction debris into a trash bin when the worker went into the bin and was struck in the head by a concrete cinderblock, Morrow said. 

 

Morrow said the worker was in the trash bin retrieving copper tubing when he was hit by the debris. He was wearing his safety helmet and was alert and conscious at the time he was transported.

 

While it is unclear why the worker was in the bin when other workers were tossing debris, it appears to be the result of simple miscommunication among the workers, Morrow said.

 

Following the incident, Occupational Safety and Health Administration was notified and interviewed workers at Flint Hall Monday afternoon before construction operations were suspended for the rest of the day, Morrow said. 

 

Flint Hall is undergoing renovations to its bathrooms, which started shortly after commencement weekend, said Eric Beattie, SU director of Design and Construction. Construction to the North Campus dorm is expected to be completed in early-to-mid-August, he said.