September 8, 2021

Accidental Death at Acuity Brands Leads to Lawsuit

Above: A May 25, 2021 report from News 4 Tucson

Brick wall collapse places the contractor's safety protocols and the building's condition under scrutiny

In September 2020, Victor Acuna and Luis Salazar were employed by Warehouse Equipment Solutions Tucson. The company was hired to perform work at Acuity Brands' Iota Engineering facility in Tucson, AZ when a horrible incident occurred.

According to reports, the men were disassembling and stacking steel racks in an empty warehouse when a brick wall fell on top of them. Acuna was badly injured and required amputation of several toes. Salazar died.

An investigation by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) revealed that the men's employer, Warehouse Equipment Solutions Tucson, did not have any documented employee training, did not have a safety committee and did not have any formal safety programs. Arizona fined the company $3000.

On the day of the incident, KOLD News 13 Tucson published a quote from an Acuity spokesperson that stated "Acuity Brands is saddened to confirm that two employees working for an outside contractor were injured in an accident today that occurred at our Tucson facility. Unfortunately, one of the individuals passed away. Acuity Brands extends our deepest condolences to the family, coworkers and other impacted by this loss."

The family of Luis Salazar has filed a lawsuit against Acuity Brands and other parties, claiming that the company was negligent in communicating the hazardous conditions to the contractor. Victor Acuna has filed a similar lawsuit.

Our multiple requests to Acuity Brands for comment were not returned. The company typically does not comment on matters pertaining to open litigation.

IOTA is a leading name in emergency backup ballasts and drivers. Acuity Brands acquired the company in 2018.