Death of Brooklyn, New York, supermarket worker preventable, OSHA finds Citations for exit access, fall, chemical hazards to Moisha's Kosher Discount Supermarket

Dec. 17, 2014

Death of Brooklyn, New York, supermarket worker preventable, OSHA finds
Citations for exit access, fall, chemical hazards to Moisha's Kosher Discount Supermarket

NEW YORK – A 22-year-old employee of Moisha's Kosher Discount Supermarket Inc. in Brooklyn was fatally crushed between a cement wall and a forklift on June 10, 2014, as employees used an electrical pallet jack to push a broken forklift up a ramp to the supermarket's roof. While doing so, the forklift rolled back down the ramp, and then pinned the worker against the wall. An inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration on the same day as the fatality found that his death was preventable.

OSHA determined that the broken 8,600-pound forklift weighed twice the pallet jack's maximum capacity of 4,000 pounds; the defective forklift had not been removed from service, as required; and workers had not been trained to operate the forklift or the pallet jack safely.

"The pallet jack and forklift were not used and moved correctly, which resulted in a needless, avoidable loss of a worker's life," said Kay Gee, OSHA's area director for Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens. "Tragically, Moisha's Kosher Discount Supermarket employees were not trained to use these machines safely and could not recognize their exposure to a deadly hazard."

OSHA's powered industrial truck standard requires that employers teach workers how to operate machines properly and ensure that they understand the training. The standard also prohibits pallet jacks and forklifts from lifting or moving objects heavier than their maximum lifting capacity.

OSHA's inspection identified nine serious violations of workplace safety standards in the supermarket's warehouse. These included blocked exit aisles and passageways; missing exit signs; misuse of portable ladders and a battery charger; lack of quick drenching eyewash for employees who worked with corrosive chemicals; and lack of a chemical hazard communication plan. 

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.

"Nothing can bring this worker back to his loved ones. This employer must take immediate, effective steps to identify, minimize and eliminate hazardous conditions to avoid another senseless tragedy," said Robert Kulick, OSHA's regional administrator in New York. 

Located at 315 Avenue M in Brooklyn, Moisha's Kosher Discount Supermarket faces $42,000 in fines. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Manhattan office at 212-630-3200.

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 http://www.osha.gov.

Doyle & Roth Manufacturing Co. Inc. faces $68,600 in OSHA fines for continued safety hazards at its Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, facility

Dec. 1, 2014

Doyle & Roth Manufacturing Co. Inc. faces $68,600 in OSHA fines for
continued safety hazards at its Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, facility

SIMPSON, Pa. – Fall hazards, inadequate machine guarding and failure to implement lockout/tagout procedures were among the 38 workplace safety hazards cited by U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors at Doyle & Roth Manufacturing Co. Inc. 


The New York-based company faces $68,600 in proposed penalties following the May 28, 2014, inspection. The investigation was initiated as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program* that directs enforcement resources to workplaces with the highest injury and illness rates. The heat-transfer equipment and pressure vessel manufacturer is located at 1 Morse Ave in Simpson.


"Since 2010, Doyle & Roth has failed to address many workplace hazards found in our inspections. These violations put employees at risk of serious injuries and possibly death," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's Wilkes-Barre Area Office. "When employers fail to ensure a safe and healthful workplace, OSHA can and will hold them legally responsible."

OSHA cited Doyle & Roth previously following inspections in 2010 and 2013 when investigators found unsafe exit routes, struck-by hazards due to damaged slings and missing protective screens and shields for welders. The same violations existed during the current investigation, which resulted in three repeat citations, with a $15,400 penalty. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.


OSHA also proposed a $53,200 penalty for 33 serious safety violations. Workers were expected to use fixed ladders to reach elevated areas and catwalks with inadequate railings, which exposed them to fall hazards of up to 28 feet. Employees also were exposed to electrical and crushing injuries because of a failure to provide a lockout/tagout program and training for technicians servicing and maintaining dangerous equipment. That equipment lacked proper guarding, which exposed workers to flying debris and wheel fragments; rotating machine parts; entanglement; and amputation hazards.


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.


Two additional safety citations were issued because employees were not trained on hazardous substances and electrical hazards. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its 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.


To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Wilkes-Barre Area Office at 570-826-6538.


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 http://www.osha.gov.

OSHA cites Ventra Belvidere for exposing employees to dangerous machines after 21-year-old worker fatally crushed at auto parts supply plant

Dec. 11, 2014

OSHA cites Ventra Belvidere for exposing employees to dangerous machines
after 21-year-old worker fatally crushed at auto parts supply plant

BELVIDERE, Ill. – A 21-year-old machine operator was fatally crushed at Ventra Belvidere LLC while reaching into a machine to align parts made for Chrysler vehicles. Following an investigation into the incident on June 10, 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the Belvidere facility for one willful and four serious safety violations for exposing workers to dangerous machinery and other hazards.

"This tragic death was preventable if Ventra Belvidere ensured proper machine guarding," said Jacob Scott, OSHA's area director in Aurora. "Failure to protect employees from dangerous machinery often leads to catastrophic injury or death. These violations are among the most frequently cited by OSHA."

The investigation found that the sensing device to detect if someone was in the machine was improperly set, which allowed the device to cycle while the employee reached into the machine. OSHA issued a willful violation for failure to guard a sequencing machine properly. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirement, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

OSHA cited Ventra Belvidere for four serious violations for failure to guard other machines properly, conduct periodic evaluations of lockout/tagout procedures and to train workers on the procedures. An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists. 

OSHA proposed penalties of $93,400 for the company, which employs about 106 workers.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its 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. 

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Aurora Area Office at 630-896-8700.

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 http://www.osha.gov.

FACTS ABOUT HOME HOLIDAY FIRES

Facts about home holiday fires

• One of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
• Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 40 reported home structure Christmas tree fires results in a death compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home structure fires.
• A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every six of Christmas tree fires.
• More than half (56 percent) of home candle fires occur when something that can catch on fire is too close to the candle.
• December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 11 percent of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4 percent the rest of the year.

Source: National Fire Protection Association

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT- SANDRIDGE ENERGY OFFSHORE: EMPLOYEE INJURY DUE TO UNEXPECTED WAVE ACTION

ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REPORT- SANDRIDGE ENERGY OFFSHORE: EMPLOYEE INJURY DUE TO UNEXPECTED WAVE ACTION

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS

At approximately 22:30 hours on 17 September 2014, an employee for Quality Construction & Production (QCP) suffered an ankle injury during abandonment operations of Well A002 for McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC (McMoRan) at the South Marsh Island (SMI) Block 147A platform operated by Fieldwood Energy (Fieldwood).

McMoRan contracted QCP and several other construction companies to remove nine conductor casings at the SMI-147A platform.  The procedures employed for the removal of the SMI-147A conductor casings were as follows: 1) install support beams for the conductor casing at the Jacket Level located at +13 feet (ft) above water line; 2) cut a shackle hole in the conductor casing and install a 55-ton shackle at the Cellar Deck situated +46 ft above the water line; 3) rig up crane and pull tension on conductor casing; 4) cut conductor casing at the +13 Jacket Level and pull to Main Deck; 5) burn hole in top of conductor casing at Main Deck and insert flat pin through side of conductor casing; 6) lower conductor casing to rest on the +13 Jacket Level support beams and change out long sling for a shorter sling; 7) pull up on conductor casing between 10 to 20 ft and pin at the +13 Jacket Level; 8) cut conductor casing at the +13 Jacket Level; and 9) remove 80 foot section of conductor casing to the material barge.

The injury was sustained by the QCP employee when he was assisting with the installation of the flat pin into the Well A002 conductor casing as it was being held by the derrick barge crane with assistance from the platform crane.  An unforeseen wave action caused a shift in tension on the derrick barge crane and the flat pin slid out striking the left ankle of the QCP employee.  The injured QCP employee walked up to the living quarters for medical attention by placing ice on his left ankle to reduce swelling.  The following day on 18 September 2014, increased swelling and bruising of the left ankle was observed, therefore, the injured QCP employee was transported by a crew boat to the shore for medical attention.

On 19 September 2014, the injured QCP employee was treated at a medical clinic but was referred to an Orthopedist for further evaluation.  On 20 September 2014, an

Orthopedist determined that the injured QCP employee sustained a hairline fracture in his left ankle and was treated by putting a hard splint boot over the injured left ankle.  The Orthopedist released the injured QCP employee to full duty; however, he did not return to the SMI-147A platform, but was assigned to work at QCP's shop until his left ankle healed.

According to the McMoRan Incident Investigation Report, the probable cause of the accident was attributed to the derrick barge crane's balance and tension forces on the load that shifted due to an unexpected wave action.

The McMoRan Incident Investigation Report and BSEE findings attributed the contributing cause for the accident to an unforeseen weather-related wave action event that resulted in the flat pin being dislodged from the conductor casing striking the IP who was in the area providing assistance.

LIST THE PROBABLE CAUSE(S) OF ACCIDENT:

According to the McMoRan Incident Investigation Report, the probable cause of the accident was attributed to the derrick barge crane's balance and tension forces on the load that shifted due to an unexpected wave action.

LIST THE CONTRIBUTING CAUSE(S) OF ACCIDENT:

The McMoRan Incident Investigation Report and BSEE findings attributed the contributing cause for the accident to an unforeseen weather-related wave action event that resulted in the flat pin being dislodged from the conductor casing striking the IP who was in the area providing assistance.

LIST THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

PROPERTY DAMAGED:        No property was damaged during this incident

NATURE OF DAMAGE:                  

SPECIFY VIOLATIONS DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY CONTRIBUTING. NARRATIVE: None