The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has completed its investigation into the March 2, 2022 incident at a concrete manufacturing company. During the incident, a worker at Lindsay Precast Inc. was performing maintenance inside a cement mixer when another worker turned the machine on. The worker in the mixer almost died as a result.
The OSHA investigation found that the company exposed “workers to potential hazards by not developing and using procedures to control hazardous energy and not training employees on the related dangers.” Following the investigation, OSHA issued multiple other citations, including:
- Not training workers on permit-required confined space hazards and the safety procedures for entering these spaces.
- Failing to train workers on fall hazards and provide fall protection in elevated areas on and around the concrete mixer.
- Failing to periodically inspect their hazardous energy control procedures.
- Not training affected employees on the proper procedures for powering on and off devices requiring lockout/tagout devices.
It goes without saying that safe companies must have adequate policies and procedures to protect their workers. It is not just workers who are at risk, but also members of the public or employees of other companies. Of course, the policies and procedures must be adequately implemented. It is more than merely having a written down procedure, companies must ensure that their workers understand and follow what has been developed.
One of the means to ensure incidents like this do not happen is through lockout/tagout procedures to control the release of hazardous energy. OSHA provides guidelines in how to implement a lockout/tagout procedure.
Our experienced lawyers have handled personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits of all kinds and have the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously injured in a construction accident. The experienced construction personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an accident at a work site.
Our lawyers have represented numerous workers who have sustained serious and catastrophic injuries on a job site as a result of the negligence of another party. There are strict and short time limits on making claims, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or 877-678-5864 to learn more about your legal rights.