Minnesota Cites Sewer Company for Safety Violations Following Worker Fatality
Minnesota OSHA issued three citations and $184,100 in penalties to Visu-Sewer Inc., in Saint Paul for safety violations when a worker was fatally injured after becoming entangled in sewer lining equipment. Inspectors determined that the company failed to train workers in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions, did not equip a hydraulic roller to cut off power, and allowed workers to use equipment modified from the manufacturer’s specifications for safe operation.
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Woodbury police found a dead man at Carver Lake Park at about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, after residents called 911 to report the worker in distress.
"Due to the nature of the work being done in the area the witnesses were unable to alert the other workers to the situation," Michelle Okada, Woodbury Public Safety spokeswoman, said in a press release Thursday. "When police arrived they found a worker had been entangled in equipment and materials."
The man, employed by Visu-Sewer Inc., was pronounced dead at the scene.
The city of Woodbury contracted Visu-Sewer, of Pewaukee, Wis., to facilitate rehabilitation of the sewer line in the southwest portion of the city and the current section of the project in Carver Lake Park was scheduled to be complete at the end of this week.
While foul play is not suspected, Woodbury Public Safety investigations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office were on scene to investigate and determine the course of events.
The name of the deceased is not being released at this time, as appropriate notifications are being made, Okada said.
Visu-Sewer, which offers sewer inspection and maintenance service, was a pioneer of hydro-jet flushing and CCTV inspection in the mid- to late 1970s and is a well-established sewer inspection, maintenance and rehabilitation company. The business has grown to include rehab services such as chemical grouting, slip lining, manhole lining and fold and formed lining, according to its website.
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The name of the worker killed in an industrial accident last week was released Monday by Woodbury police.
Thomas Oxendorf, 55, of Oconomowoc, Wis., died in Carver Lake Park at about 12:30 p.m. March 22.
He was an employee of Visu-Sewer Inc., which had been contracted to repair a sewer line through the park.
According to police, Oxendorf was found “entangled in equipment and materials.” Police said foul play is not suspected.