The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services found two violations during an investigation into the death of Robert Brown, a maintenance worker in Douglas County, at the workplace.

According to a report from the DSPS Industrial Services Department on August 2, Brown replaced fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs on the ceiling of the Douglas County Jail Gymnasium, which required removing the ballast from the fixture.

A caretaker is assisting Brown, watching and assisting in handling the materials on the floor.

During the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office investigating Brown’s death, the administrator told the police officer that Brown did not explain why he did not turn off the lights.

Brown has successfully worked on two lamps, which are all lit, and when the administrator hears the sound of inhalation and sees Brown's leg twitching, he is making the third lamp. The guardian called Brown but did not respond. The guardian immediately sought help via radio and walkie-talkie. A nurse and jailer responded, followed by emergency medical technicians.

An electrician from Stack Bros. was called to resolve the uncertainty of live and bare wires and informed the sheriff's office that Brown was working at 277 volts.

"According to the jailer's log and photos, Brown grabbed the wires with his index fingers and thumbs," the DSPS report said. "Brown was declared dead by the county forensic doctor at the scene; preliminary findings indicate an electric shock."

Douglas County identified workers who died at work

Douglas County employee killed in work-related accident

Douglas County Administrator Ann Doucette said she did not have Brown's autopsy results.

According to the DSPS report, state officials found that the switchboard that provided the ceiling lights for the gym was not locked and marked, the live parts that employees might touch were not powered off before the start of work, and energy control procedures were not followed.

Doucette said Douglas County has a lock and tag policy, as well as many other security-related policies.

The state agency ordered Douglas County to take corrective measures to ensure that parts are powered off and energy control procedures are followed before work begins.

Douglas County must comply by September 13.

“The county is working with the state government to update and group policies in the form that inspectors are looking for,” Doucette said. "We are waiting for their conclusion."

This story was updated at 10:22 am on Wednesday, September 8th, and includes information about the investigation into Brown’s death by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. It was originally released at 1:40 PM on September 7th.