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| 23-year-old Dakota LaBrecque, of Loudon, N.H. suffered fatal injuries after he was pulled into a conveyor at the company’s Springfield plant in November 2017 |
June 1, 2018
U.S. Department of Labor Cites New Jersey Renewable Energy Company
Following Fatality at New Hampshire Power Plant
CONCORD, NH – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited EWP Renewable Corp., doing business as Springfield Power LLC, for 25 safety violations after an employee suffered fatal injuries after he was pulled into a conveyor at the company’s Springfield plant in November 2017. The Mount Laurel, New Jersey, company faces $125,460 in proposed penalties.
OSHA inspectors found that the conveyor and other machinery lacked required safety guarding, and employees were not trained in lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from unintentionally starting. OSHA also cited Springfield Power for fall hazards; electric shock and arc flash hazards; and lack of adequate emergency evacuation, fire prevention; and hazardous energy control programs.
“This employer’s failure to protect employees resulted in a tragedy that could have been prevented if training was provided and machinery was appropriately guarded,” said Rosemarie O. Cole, OSHA New Hampshire Area Director.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed 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. View the citations here, here, and here.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.
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A 23-year-old worker was pulled into a conveyor.
EHS Today Staff | Jun 08, 2018
On Nov. 27, 2017, 23-year-old Dakota LaBrecque, of Loudon, N.H. went to work. He never returned home.
OSHA investigators have now cited EWP Renewable Corp., doing business as Springfield Power LLC, for 25 safety violations.
“This employer’s failure to protect employees resulted in a tragedy that could have been prevented if training was provided and machinery was appropriately guarded,” said Rosemarie O. Cole, OSHA New Hampshire area director.
LaBrecque suffered fatal injuries after he was pulled into a conveyor at the company’s Springfield, N.H. plant. The Mount Laurel, New Jersey, company faces $125,460 in proposed penalties.
OSHA inspectors found that the conveyor and other machinery lacked required safety guarding, and employees were not trained in lockout/tagout procedures to prevent equipment from unintentionally starting. OSHA also cited Springfield Power for fall hazards; electric shock and arc flash hazards; and lack of adequate emergency evacuation, fire prevention; and hazardous energy control programs.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed 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.
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Dakota's Obituary
LOUDON, NH – Dakota "Koty" LaBrecque, 23, of Loudon, died unexpectedly while at work Monday, Nov. 27, in Springfield. Koty was born in the winter of 1994 in Concord to Kelley LaBrecque Smith. He grew up in Loudon and attended the Merrimack Valley School System and was a graduate of Merrimack Valley High School with the class of 2013.
After high school Koty joined the work force and earned himself a reputation as a motivated hard worker in his desired field of Landscaping, he had worked for Northeast Landscaping for several years and had most recently been working as a laborer at the Springfield Power Company. In his free time Koty loved to be outdoors. When he was younger it was being involved in youth sports and in most recent years it would be outdoors farming, hunting or fishing, or riding dirt bikes and mudding with friends. He was also a self taught musician and he loved to play his guitar.
Dakota is survived by his mother, Kelley LaBrecque Smith and his step-father, Alan Smith both of Loudon; a brother, Luke Ladd of Concord; two step-sisters, Haley Seidensticker of Manchester and Adrienne Seidensticker of Canterbury; his aunt and uncle, Terry Mullen and William Mullen of Loudon; his uncle, Arthur LaBrecque of Webster; his maternal grandmother and grandfather, Hazel and Charles Varnum of Loudon; and many, many cousins and friends. He has touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed by those who knew him.