Tuesday, April 21, 2015

OSHA INVESTIGATES CONSTRUCTION WORKER DEATH NEAR SCHUYLER WHEN THE WORKER WAS STRUCK BY A BROKEN CHAIN WHILE OPERATING A PAYLOADER




APRIL 14, 2015

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Omaha office has opened an investigation into the report of a worker’s death, Saturday, April 9. The 26-year-old worker, who has been identified as Craig Anderson, of Columbus, was part of a Gehring Construction & Ready Mix Co. crew working at Lake Socorro, just west of Highway 15, near Schuyler, Nebraska, when the incident occurred shortly before 8 a.m.

Initial reports indicated that Anderson was driving a payloader while attempting to free a cement truck that had become stuck by pulling the vehicle with a chain. The chain snapped and struck Anderson, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Struck-by injuries are produced by forcible contact or impact between the injured person and an object or piece of equipment.

“These types of incidents are preventable. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that employees working in construction are trained on awareness of struck by hazards, how to avoid struck by incidents, and using proper tools and equipment,” said Bonita Winingham, OSHA’s Area Director in Omaha. “Our condolences are with his family and friends who have suffered an irreplaceable loss.”

Danger from flying objects occurs when using power tools, or activities like pushing, pulling, or prying, may cause objects to become airborne. Actions that can be taken to avoid these hazards include, inspecting tools and equipment to see that all components are in good conditions, use the appropriate tools for the job, wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as, hard hats, safety glasses, goggles, etc.

Fatal work injuries involving contractors accounted for 17 percent of all fatal workplace injuries in 2013.

Columbus-based Gehring has previously been cited by OSHA in September 2012 and issued three serious violations for lack of lockout/tagout procedures and training employees on chemical hazards. The company resolved the citations and paid a penalty of $8820.

OSHA has a Regional Emphasis Program to educate employers and workers about struck-by hazards associated with vehicles and preventing such tragic incidents and also provides safety guidelines for employers and workers.

Struck-by injuries and fatalities are caused by conventional vehicles, forklifts, semi-trucks and other moving industrial equipment, such as cranes and yard trucks. OSHA has a Regional Emphasis Program in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, with the goal of educating employers and workers about the hazards associated with the operation of motorized equipment in construction, general and maritime industries.

Of the 37 vehicle-related fatal incidents inspected by the OSHA Kansas City Region during fiscal years 2008 through March 2013, 57 percent involved a vehicle striking a worker in the area. In the remaining 43 percent, the operator was the victim.