The death of one worker and injuries to others on the scene meant more than two-dozen safety violations for a number of companies.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently cited Precision Surveillance Corp., Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., Siemens Power Generation Inc. and Entergy Operations Inc. for 26 safety violations after one Precision Surveillance worker was fatally injured when a crane collapsed at the Arkansas Nuclear One Power Plant in March. Eight other workers were hurt.
Precision Surveillance Corp., in East Chicago, Ind., is being cited for one serious violation with a penalty of $6,300 for failing to provide an effective communication system to alert the operator or signalman through an emergency stop signal. Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. in San Leandro, Calif., Siemens Power Generation Inc. in Orlando, Fla., and Entergy Operations Inc. in Russellville are being cited for failing to comply with crane-related hazards. Bigge Crane is being cited for nine serious violations with a penalty of $56,700, and Siemens is being cited for nine serious violations with a penalty of $63,000. Entergy is being cited for 7 serious violations with a penalty of $49,000. Proposed penalties for all violations total $175,000.
A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
OSHA Says Vital Safeguards Were Lacking
“This tragedy could have been prevented had the employer ensured vital safeguards to protect workers from potential hazards and proper planning for a project of this magnitude,” said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA’s area director in Little Rock. “OSHA will hold the employers accountable for not meeting their workplace safety and health responsibilities.”
The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Author Michael B. Stack, CPA, Director of Operations, Amaxx Risk Solutions, Inc. is an expert in employer communication systems and part of the Amaxx team helping companies reduce their workers compensation costs by 20% to 50%. He is a writer, speaker, and website publisher. www.reduceyourworkerscomp.com. Contact: mstack@reduceyourworkerscomp.com.
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