Associated Press - November 5, 2009 6:54 AM ET

ST. JAMES, La. (AP) - St. James Parish sheriff's deputies say a worker wearing a safety harness died this week of injuries received in a 40-foot fall from scaffolding inside a storage tank under construction.

Officials say the death of 30-year-old Brandon Billiot of Harvey prompted an investigation by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Capt. Sid Berthelot (BURTH'-uh-lot), sheriff's chief of detectives, said Wednesday that Billiot was taken by helicopter to East St. James Hospital Monday morning with internal injuries but died later the same day.

Berthelot said witnesses saw Billiot fall from the tank scaffolding at Plains Marketing LP in St. James.

Berthelot said sheriff's investigators have determined the fall was accidental, but have not determined if Billiot's harness was tied off.

Information from: The Advocate, http://www.2theadvocate.com

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