MAN DIES WHEN HE WAS CRUSHED BY HIS OWN ATV IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA

APRIL 2, 2015

PHILADELPHIA, PA (CBS)

A man has died following an ATV accident in Northeast Philadelphia Thursday morning.

Police say the male was riding an ATV heading northbound in the driveway between the 6500 block Walker Street and 6500 block of Algard Street at a high rate of speed.

Authorities say when he tried to make a right turn onto Magee Street, he lost control of the ATV and hit a fence in the driveway between the 6600 block of Walker Street and Algard Street.

Police say the victim went into the air and flipped several times before hitting the ground with the ATV landing on top of him.

Emergency crews rushed him to Aria-Frankford Hospital in critical condition. He was pronounced dead just before 2 p.m.

The victim’s identity has not been released at this time.

PARAPLEGIC SEA-TAC RAMP WORKER AWARDED $40 MILLION BY SEATTLE JURY

APRIL 2, 2015

SEATAC, WASHINGTON

A ground crew member severely injured at Sea-Tac Airport in 2007 was awarded $40 million by a King County jury on Tuesday.
Brandon Afoa of Puyallup is a paraplegic because of the incident. His daily life has drastically changed from his days of operating heavy vehicles at Sea-Tac -- such as the tugs that push back the planes.
"Not only through life, but going through medical stuff. It's a huge change in my life," he said.
Back in 2007 Afoa got into a life-changing collision when the brakes and steering on his tug failed. His legal team put together animation of the incident since the port didn't preserve the actual video. Afoa says he managed to keep the rig from smashing into the jumbo jet and other ground workers.
But he crashed into a broken luggage lift, which crushed his spine.
"Everything went numb. My eyes were open, but everything was feeling numb," he said. 
The crash left Afoa a triplegic with no use of his legs or his dominant right arm. He needs daily help from caregivers just to survive.
The case has been locked in the courts because the Port of Seattle contended it wasn't liable for what happened. Afoa actually worked for a private company, but the state supreme court ruled the airport had a "duty to provide a safe working environment."
On Tuesday a King County jury awarded Afoa $40 million because of what the incident has done to his life.
"It was a relief and I'm very thankful for the jury for making an awesome decision," Afoa said.
Sea-Tac airport issued a statement following the judgement, saying, "The Port of Seattle expresses our deepest sympathies to Mr. Afoa and his family for this unfortunate accident. The port is currently reviewing the decision of the court." 
There's no word yet on whether the port will appeal the verdict which could delay payment of the award.
Afoa says it's his faith that keeps him going.
"I believe that we serve a big God. He's brought me throughout these whole 7 years. If it wasn't for Him, I wouldn't be here," he said.

CRANE OVERTURNS AND CRUSHES A GARAGE IN COBB COUNTY, GEORGIA WHEN IT TRIED LIFTING A TREE.

APRIL 1, 2015

A crane overturned yesterday in Cobb County, Georgia, to the north west of Atlanta, while lifting trees from the back yard of a home.

We have few details at this stage, but the crane’s boom came down on the garage of the home slicing it off from the house. We understand that no one was seriously injured in the incident.

We will update if and when we receive more information. In the meantime we have pointed out the risks and dangers with lifting trees from residential locations many times in the past.

The scene yesterday, the boom cut the garage off from the house

Source:www.vertical.net

2 Dead, after Toronto, Canada mastclimber collapse

April 2, 2015

On Friday last week a mastclimbing work platform collapsed in Toronto, Canada, due to what appears to be some form of structural failure within the mast. One man died on site, while the other succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Details or even decent photography has been slow in coming, all we know is that two bricklayers working for Venice Masonry Contractors died after falling around five stories with the collapsing platform.

The scene shortly after the mast climber collapsed

New rules governing training and fall arrest came into force in the region yesterday, however reports suggest that the failure was caused by a structural failure which is more likely to be related to erection and maintenance issues or severe overloading. Hopefully the facts will come out in an investigation that is currently underway by the ministry of Labor.

It is hard to see exactly what happened but it seems the mast failed around the fifth floor level

This latest incident follows a fatal mastclimber collapse in Raleigh, North Carolina last Wednesday, See fatal mast climber collapse .
Following the two fatal incidents the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA)issued a joint statement which is published in full below.
“The Mast Climbing Work Platform Committee/Council of IPAF and SAIA are saddened by the accidents in Raleigh, North Carolina and Toronto, Canada. We would like to extend our sympathies and prayers to the families of those who lost their lives and were injured in these tragic events. This emphasizes the importance, especially in light of the current resurgence in construction, of training, continuing education as well as inspection of equipment”.
“Since their introduction in the 1960’s, Mast Climbing Work Platforms have been used extensively without incident throughout many sites worldwide and in the USA and Canada. Mast Climbing Work Platforms are popular with an array of trades including the masonry, stucco, glass and refurbishment industries where they can offer safety, productivity and ergonomic benefits. When installed and used correctly they are as safe as or safer than other forms of powered access or scaffold”.
“The key to the safe use of mastclimbers is appropriate training. This has led manufacturers and industry bodies to develop robust training programs for both erectors and operators of Mast Climbing Work Platforms”.
“The mastclimbing industry has collectively strived for many years to ensure that all operators and erectors benefit from this level of appropriate training, but since there are no specific national training regulations for mast climbing work platforms in the USA or Canada, employer education and outreach is a continual priority of the industry”.
“The mastclimbing industry will continue to take a proactive approach to employer education and appropriate training and will continue to work with OSHA to find opportunities to reinforce this requirement”. 

 

Source:www.vertical.net

OSHA cites South Carolina contractor for exposing workers to cave-in and struck-by hazards at work site in Pooler, Georgia

April 02, 2015

Employer name: Jordan Construction Co. of Hilton Head Inc. 


Inspection site: At the time of the inspection, workers were installing sewer lines at the intersection of North and West Godley Station Roads, Pooler, Georgia 31322.


Date inspection initiated: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated the Oct. 8, 2014 inspection as part of the agency's National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation. 


Inspection findings: OSHA issued the employer two willful citations for allowing employees to work in an excavation without cave-in protection and not ensuring the soil pile was at least 2-feet from the excavation edge. OSHA requires that all trenches and excavation sites 5-feet or deeper be protected against sidewall collapses. Protection may be provided through shoring of trench walls, sloping of the soil at a shallow angle or by using a protective trench box. 

Additionally, two serious violations include failing to provide a safe entrance and exit from the trench and not requiring employees to wear head protection while working in a trench where falling objects could result in injury. 


Quote: "Excavation and trenching are among the most dangerous construction operations, and cave-ins can place workers at risk for serious injury or death." Jordan Construction chose to intentionally ignore OSHA regulations and exposed their employees to these life-threatening hazards," said Robert Vazzi, OSHA's area director in Savannah. 


Proposed penalties: $46,800


The citations can be viewed at: http://www.dol.gov/opa/media/press/osha/OSHA20150462fs.pdf*


Jordan Construction has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a 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 Savannah Area Office at 912-652-4393.

Workers exposed to asbestos hazards at A.M. Castle & Co. in Franklin Park, Illinois

April 2, 2015

Employer name: A.M. Castle & Co.


Investigation site: 3400 N. Wolf Road, Franklin Park, IL, 60131


Date investigation initiated and what prompted inspection: On Sept. 25, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Chicago North Area Office initiated an inspection of the metal service center that engages in wholesale distribution of metal and steel stock, after receiving a complaint. The complaint alleged various safety and health hazards including occupational exposure to asbestos, insufficient training for employees on asbestos in the workplace, and lack of permit-required confined space procedures.


Investigation findings: OSHA issued two repeated and five serious violations.

"A.M. Castle has a responsibility to train its workers in the hazards of being exposed to asbestos and confined spaces," said Angeline Loftus, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines. "Asbestos exposure can cause long-term and irreversible damage to the lungs. A. M. Castle needs to re-evaluate this facility and correct these hazards immediately."


Two repeated violations the company was cited for include:

• Not providing awareness training to employees who perform housekeeping operations in areas that contain asbestos or presumed asbestos containing material.
• Not making a copy of the OSHA Asbestos Standard readily available and accessible to affected employees.

The company was previously cited for these violations on March 28, 2012. OSHA issues repeated violations when an employer has been previously cited for the same or a similar violation in the past five years. 

Five serious violations were cited for:

• Not evaluating the workplace to determine if any confined spaces were permit-required.
• Not posting danger signs or notifying employees of a permit-required confined space.
• Not developing and implementing a written permit-required confined space entry program.
• Failing to inform employees, who perform maintenance in areas where asbestos is present, of the presence, quantity and location of asbestos containing material or presumed asbestos containing material which might have been contacted during such work activities
• Failing to ensure training on asbestos was in accordance with OSHA standards.
• Failing to provide annual asbestos training to employees involved in Class IV asbestos operations.

Proposed Penalties: $59,720


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 Chicago North Area Office at 847-803-4800.

USPS mail processing center again cited by OSHA for fire extinguisher, electrical violations at St. Louis facility

April 2, 2015

Employer name: United States Postal Service 


Investigation site: 1720 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri


Date investigation initiated and what prompted inspection: On Jan.13, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection of a United States Postal Service mail processing site after receiving a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions at the facility. 


Investigation findings: Investigators found blocked portable fire extinguishers, alarm systems and electrical equipment such as circuit breaker boxes and transformers throughout the ground floor of the mail center. OSHA issued two repeated safety violations. 


"These hazards found throughout the mail center are completely unacceptable. The threat of fire inside this structure exists and set procedures to safeguard this equipment must be continuously monitored and enforced," said Bill McDonald, OSHA's area director in St. Louis. "Employers that are cited for so many safety violations repeatedly demonstrate a lack of commitment to employee safety and health." 


OSHA previously cited the same facility for these violations in 2014. OSHA issues repeated violations when an employer has been previously cited for the same or a similar violation in the past five years.


Proposed Penalties: $45,000

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 St. Louis Area Office at 314-425-4249.

Aluminum foundry exposes workers to chlorine gas and other hazards. Custom Alloy Sales 34P faces more than $160K in fines for 31 safety and health violations

April 2, 2015

PRESCOTT, Kan. – Workers risked exposure to dangerous chlorine gas while forging blocks of metal material at an aluminum foundry in Prescott because their employer did not train them on how to handle and store the gas, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found. Improperly used, chlorine gas can cause severe respiratory damage.

Unsafe use of the gas was discovered by OSHA at Custom Alloy Sales 34P LLC in September 2014 after a complaint prompted an inspection. Investigators found employees endangered by permit-required confined space hazards while working in foundry furnaces. A confined space is one large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs, such as a holding tank, but it has limited or restricted means for entry or exit and is not designed for continuous occupancy. 

As a result, OSHA issued 31 serious health and safety citations with proposed penalties of $160,200. Inspectors determined Custom Alloy Sales failed to train workers on hazardous chemicals used at the foundry; store oxygen and fuel-gas cylinders properly, and protect workers from dangerous machine parts. The agency also found forklifts with defects in use. 

"With more than 30 violations, it's clear that the safety and health of its workers are not priorities at Custom Alloy Sales. Failing to provide training, safety equipment is unacceptable," said Judy Freeman, OSHA's area director in Wichita. "The foundry needs to make immediate improvements before tragedy strikes."

Custom Alloy also failed to conduct audiometric testing; ensure hearing protection was worn; and to train employees on noise hazards. Noise-related hearing loss is one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the U.S., with an estimated 30 million people occupationally exposed to noise each year. This exposure can cause permanent hearing loss that neither surgery nor a hearing aid can correct.

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.

The OSHA citations can be viewed at: 

http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CustomAlloySales34PLLC_994622_0306_15.pdf* http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CustomAlloySales34PLLC_998634_0306_15.pdf*

Custom Alloy Sales has contested the citations and penalties and the case may go before an 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 Wichita Area Office at 316-269-6644. 

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.

USPS cited for electrical hazards at Chicago's Clark Street distribution center

April 1, 2015

Employer name: United States Postal Service 

Investigation site: 2643 N. Clark, Chicago, IL 60614

Date investigation initiated and what prompted inspection: On Jan. 14, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Chicago North Area Office initiated an inspection of the mail sorting facility after receiving a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions

Investigation findings: OSHA found workers were exposed to various electrical hazards and issued two repeated, four serious and one other-than-serious violation with proposed penalties of $63,540.

"The Postal Service has a responsibility to make sure equipment is maintained in good working order," said Angeline Loftus, OSHA's area director in Des Plaines. "Each year hundreds of workers are injured by electrical hazards in the workplace. The Postal Service needs to re-evaluate this facility and correct these hazards immediately."

Investigators found workers were exposed to electrical hazards because electrical power taps were not used in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and electrical equipment such as an industrial fan were not grounded properly, resulting in the two repeated violations. 

OSHA issues repeated violations when an employer has been previously cited for the same or a similar violation in the past five years. The Postal Service was cited for similar hazards in 2014 in Groton, Connecticut and Ludington, Michigan.

The four serious violations involved the use of unapproved electrical equipment, use of improperly spliced cords, and not providing strain relief for all electrical cords. The Postal Service also failed to mark permanent aisles resulting in an other-than-serious violation.

Proposed Penalties: $63,540

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 Chicago North Area Office at 847-803-4800.

Lack of cave-in protections led to trench collapse, Bednar Landscape workers' deaths in Boonton. OSHA releases finding in October 2014 trench disaster

April 1, 2015

Employer name and location: Bednar Landscape Services Inc., located at 501 Division Street in Boonton, New Jersey. The company provides landscape, excavation and snow removal services throughout northern New Jersey. 


Date investigation initiated: The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration initiated an inspection on Oct. 1, 2014, after a trench cave-in killed two workers, Oscar Portillo and Selvin Zelaya, who were installing a French drain system at the historic James Dixon Farm in Boonton.


Investigation findings: The day of the incident, the employees were working in a trench between 9 and 13 feet deep which had no cave-in protection, OSHA determined. As a result, Bednar was found responsible for one willful and nine serious safety violations.

The willful citation was due to the trench not being adequately sloped, protected by shields or shoring. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirement, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.

The serious violations included not providing a ladder in the trench every 25 feet to allow safe exit, not having a competent person inspect the trench, and failure to have utilities marked out, provide head protection, and train workers on the hazards of the chemicals with which they worked. 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.
Bednar Landscape Services Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of their citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Quotes: "One cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as a small car when a trench caves-in or collapses. Without the required protections, these men had no way to escape and their heartbroken families are left to make sense of a needless tragedy," said Kris Hoffman, director of OSHA's Parsippany Area Office. "Bednar management placed its employees in mortal danger by not using cave-in protections, and we believe these managers were plainly indifferent to the serious dangers their workers faced."

"Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. The fact that two workers are killed each month in trench collapses underscores how important cave-in protections are," said Robert Kulick, OSHA regional administrator in New York. "An unprotected trench can be a death trap and should never be entered. There are several ways to protect people who work in trenches, and trenches should be inspected at the start of each shift and as needed throughout the work day by trained professionals."

Proposed Penalties: $77,000 

View the citation at: http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Bednar-Landscape-Services-Inc_998237_0327_15.pdf* 


OSHA requires that all trenches and excavation sites 5 feet or deeper be protected against sidewall collapses. Protection may be provided through shoring of trench walls, sloping of the soil at a shallow angle, or by using a protective trench box. OSHA has created a National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data from the preliminary Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries shows fatal work injuries in New Jersey accounted for 101 of the 4,405 fatal work injuries* reported nationally in 2013. Additional details are available at http://www.bls.gov.

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 Parsippany Area Office at 973-263-1003.

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.

Kroger allows forklift hazards at Columbus supermarket. OSHA finds 2 willful, 2 serious safety violations, imposes more than $130K in fines

April 2, 2015

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Millions of pounds of merchandise and materials are moved each year by forklift drivers, thousands of whom suffer severe injuries while navigating narrow aisles, fellow workers with heavy, sometimes shifting loads. The dangers facing those who drive or work around forklifts were on display at a Kroger Co. supermarket in Columbus, Ohio which now faces $130,900 in fines for several violations.

Acting on a complaint, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspectors found two willful and two serious safety violations after they found Kroger failed to remove damaged powered industrial trucks from service and to examine forklifts after each shift to report and correct defects. These violations resulted in two willful violations. 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.

Two serious safety citations were issued for failing to train forklift operators and not properly repairing a pallet jack charger. An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known exists. 

"Employers must educate and train forklift operators and others working in warehouses and stores about the hazards associated with these commonly used vehicles," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "Safe operation requires training, removal of debris and other material from the path of forklifts, alerting pedestrians and maintaining the vehicle. Like many companies we inspect, Kroger failed to follow these safety precautions. The food company must re-examine its training and maintenance procedures for forklifts."

To view current citations, visit http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Kroger_Company_1005045_0326_15.pdf*.

Based in Cincinnati, Kroger Co. is a national grocery retailer operating more than 2,600 stores under more than two dozen flags, including Kroger's, Ralph's and many others, and 36 distribution centers in 34 states. It employs about 400,000 workers and had sales of $108.5 billion in 2014. The Columbus store on the 1300 block of Chambers Road has about 150 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 Columbus Area Office at 614-469-5582.

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.

3 MERCEDES-BENZ SUV’S COME OFF 18-WHEELER HAULING THEM AFTER IT OVERTURNED ON UNIVERSITY DR. IN HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

APRIL 1, 2015

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

A wreck involving a car carrier caused a major traffic issue at a high-traffic area on Wednesday morning.

Traffic was down to one lane westbound on University Drive under Research Park Boulevard after a car carrier overturned, dumping three Mercedes-Benz SUV’s on the road.

As of 10:30 a.m. the two outer westbound lanes on University were open. Police still urged drivers to use caution in the area.

The wreck caused significant traffic backups starting at Research Park Boulevard.

No one was hurt, but significant damage was caused to the property.  His wallet will hurt for sure.  Hopefully the trucker has enough insurance to cover this damage.