Construction worker dies from injuries sustained on campus

By James Sheridan

A construction worker injured on campus last Wednesday died Friday morning, according to Director of Communications Dan Magazu.

The worker, identified by Director of Communications Bureau at the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office Mary Beth Long as Milford native Randall Chamberlain, would have celebrated his 55th birthday on Saturday.

Chamberlain was transported via MedMight from campus to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center after falling from the new addition to Hemenway Hall at 11:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Magazu said.

He died Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. due to his injuries.

According to Stephen Killian, the Framingham Chief Operating Officer for Barr & Barr, Chamberlain was cutting steel outside of a cabled off area on a stairwell when he fell. He added the company has a 6-foot fall rule that states if workers are over 6 feet above the ground, they must be clipped onto a safety harness.

Killian said although the company does not know the details of what led to Chamberlain’s fall, both OSHA and the Department of Public Safety are investigating the incident.

He said although Chamberlain worked for a company contracted by Barr & Barr called Absolute Finishing, he was no less “part of the family.” Killian said, “At the end of the day, we want everyone to make it home. ... Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Randy.”

A statement issued by the school about the accident read, “The FSU community is deeply saddened by this tragic incident.” The statement also sent condolences to Chamberlain’s family and friends, adding that counselors have been made available on campus for anyone wishing to speak to one.