Nebraska businesses face thousands of dollars in fines from U.S. Labor Department for multiple violations
By Barbara Soderlin / World-Herald staff writer
Nov 8, 2017
The U.S. Department of Labor has fined a Nebraska grain cooperative and placed it in a special enforcement program after a May 4 incident in which a worker was partly trapped in a grain bin in Raymond.
Separately, the department cited a Bellevue commercial bakery for worker safety violations, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday. The companies have 15 business days to address the violations and comply with the penalties or to contest the findings.
Dorchester-based Farmers Cooperative faces nearly $374,000 in proposed penalties for a total of seven violations, and has been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program. OSHA said the co-op has previously been cited for a similar violation at a facility in Talmadge. Farmers Cooperative has 60 locations in Nebraska and Kansas.
Investigators for the May incident in Raymond determined that a worker entered a bin to clear soybeans while an auger was running. The worker was engulfed in soybeans up to his chest.
“It is well-known throughout the industry that entering a bin is extremely dangerous, especially while the auger is operating,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kimberly Stille, in Kansas City.
An official at the cooperative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment for this story.
In Bellevue, the Bimbo Bakeries USA plant faces more than $122,000 in proposed penalties after investigators cited it for six violations after a June 6 inspection.
The alleged violations included lack of machine guarding, failing to provide fall protection and using a damaged electrical panel box. OSHA said it has cited the company before for similar hazards at other locations.
Pennsylvania-based Bimbo Bakeries USA, with more than 60 bakeries, is a division of Mexican baking company Grupo Bimbo. Its brands include Sara Lee, Oroweat, Entenmann’s, Thomas’ and Boboli.
In a statement to The World-Herald, the company said: “The safety of our associates is a top priority at Bimbo Bakeries USA. We are currently reviewing the citation issued by OSHA ... and expect to respond to the agency in the coming days.”
BILLERICA, Mass. (AP) — A federal workers' safety agency is recommending $267,081 in penalties for a Massachusetts auto auction house where five people died when a vehicle suddenly accelerated into a crowd.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Thursday it was citing Lynnway Auto Auction in Billerica for a range of infractions, including blocked exit routes, electrical hazards and record-keeping deficiencies.
The OSHA inspection came after a Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by a Lynnway employee apparently lurched out of control and crashed through a wall on May 3, killing two Rhode Island residents, three Massachusetts residents and injuring seven others.
Lynnway Auto President Jim Lamb said Thursday the "majority" of the infractions were "unrelated" to that accident and are being resolved.
The company has installed fixed bollards to serve as barriers and taken other safety measures.
The Rhode Islanders were 48-year-old Brenda Lopez, of Providence, and 49-year-old Pantaleon Santos, of Cumberland.
=====================
Two of three victims in fatal Billerica crash identified as Rhode Islanders
by BRIAN CRANDALL, NBC 10 NEWS
Thursday, May 4th 2017
A vehicle suddenly accelerated at an auto auction in Billerica, Mass., killing three people. (WBTS)
PROVIDENCE. R.I. (WJAR) — Two Rhode Islanders were among the three people killed in a crash at an auto auction in Billerica, Massachusetts.
Brenda Lopez, 48, of Providence, and 49-year-old Pantaleon Santos, of Cumberland, died when a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee smashed through a wall at LynnWay Auto Auction Wednesday morning.
Authorities said a 70-year-old worker accelerated through the cinder block wall. They are trying to determine what went wrong, but said the crash does not appear to have been intentional.
Nine other people were hurt, one of them seriously.
“My mom was god fearing. She was our rock,” Lopez’s son, Richard Meza-Lopez, told NBC 10 News.
He said Lopez regularly went to auto auctions for a family car business.
“My father was there, but he was in the restroom when the incident occurred,” he said.
Santos was part of the business, too, and a family friend.
Lopez, who was originally from Guatemala, lived in Providence for more than 25 years.
“She always had a positive outlook on things,” said Meza-Lopez, the oldest of her four children.
The youngest is 18. “It breaks my heart because she was going to graduate from high school in a couple of weeks. And we were all supposed to go to the graduation.”
Now, they want to carry on their mother’s legacy.
“I just want to make her proud,” Meza-Lopez told NBC10. “I want to live my life to honor her memory.”
Monday, November 13, 2017 08:59AM
INWOOD, Manhattan (WABC) --
Authorities say the fire that destroyed stores and injured multiple firefighters in Upper Manhattan Sunday was accidental.
According to FDNY Fire Marshals, the 4-alarm fire on Nagle Avenue in Inwood was caused by sparks from an operating saw blade.
The fire broke out at about 10 a.m., and spread through seven stores along the street.
FDNY Chief James Hodgens says the department used special two-tower ladders to put the fire out. About 140 firefighters were called to the scene.
Six firefighters suffered minor injuries.
The stores were unoccupied at the time of the fire.
===========================
A four-alarm blaze destroyed a row of at least six shops in upper Manhattan and left six firefighters with minor injuries Sunday morning, officials said.
The fire started in a dry- cleaning business on Nagle Avenue near Thayer Street in Inwood at around 10 a.m. and quickly spread to neighboring stores, they said.
It took around 100 firefighters to beat back the flames, which were brought under control at around 2 p.m.
Home attendant Joany Perez, 53, lives across the street and said she saw the fire start at the dry cleaner and spread to other shops.
“I thought, ‘Oh, my God!’ It’s terrible, my daughter cried, cried, cried, she was scared,” Perez said. “My apartment has so much smoke in it now.”
“Ten people ran out of the barber shop — they were working,” she said.
Thick, black smoke filled the air during the blaze, which burned the dry cleaner, a barber shop, a Chinese restaurant, a liquor store, a bodega and a bar.
“They are all gone,” Perez said. “I heard an explosion in the Chinese restaurant. It was closed.”
The firefighters were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
DENTON, Tx. -- A party in Denton turned into terror and chaos when the third floor at a student housing complex collapsed.
Most of the people affected by the collapse at the Ridge Apartments are okay, but now, dozens of University of North Texas students don’t have a home.
Students and families have been coming by the apartments all day Sunday to gather what belongings they could. The building is closed after the collapse.
The nightmare for students began at around 1:45 a.m. Sunday when the Denton Fire Departments responded to a report of a fire alarm. Soon after, 911 calls started pouring in with reports of a roof collapse.
When firefighters came to the scene, they saw the collapse. Partygoers were dangling between floors.
Denton firefighters believe the cause of the collapse was too much jumping.
Carly Carroll, who lives in the apartment right below were the party occurred, said she just moved in three months ago. Now, everything she owns in ruined.
“It’s worse than you could possibly imagine because the sprinklers were on for two hours so not only was all of our stuff crushed, but it’s completely soaked with water. Everything is gone,” said Carroll.
Carroll and her roommates weren’t in the apartment at the time of the collapse. They were at the police department reporting the party.
Contractors remove a
vessel displaced by Hurricane Irma at Boot Key Harbor City Marina in
Marathon, Florida, Oct. 11, 2017. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty
Officer 2nd Class David Weydert.
Crews continue to mitigate pollution threats from vessels displaced by Hurricane Irma
November 13th, 2017
MIAMI, FL – Cleanup efforts and removal operations of displaced vessels are progressing throughout Florida waterways nine weeks after Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys.
The Unified Command for the response—officially titled Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF-10) Florida—consists of leaders from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Currently, 1,767 displaced vessels have been removed from Florida waterways. Approximately 220 people from state and federal agencies are involved in the disaster response.
Responders are prioritizing the removal of vessels based on potential environmental impact.
“ESF-10 response crews are spread across the state focusing on pollution recovery and vessel removal goals set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,” said Chris Russell, the EPA Incident Commander for ESF-10. “ESF-10 is supporting the state of Florida and its agencies to help them achieve an efficient, well-coordinated response in the wake of Hurricane Irma.”
Vessel owners are encouraged to hire a salvage company to recover their vessels in order to provide the safest removal method possible for the public and environment. Owners wishing to remove their own vessels are encouraged to visit the following website for guidelines and best practices http://myfwc.com/boating/vessel-hotline/removal.
Owners of displaced vessels who lack the resources to have their boat repaired, or if their vessel is determined to be beyond repair, may release ownership of their vessel through a waiver provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The waiver process can be initiated by contacting FWC through the Vessel Removal Hotline at 305-985-3744 and requesting to turn over a displaced vessel. An FWC representative will then contact the owner to explain the waiver process and facilitate the potential turnover of ownership.
The ESF-10 is the framework by which federal support is coordinated with state agencies in response to actual or potential oil spills or hazardous material releases. Partner agencies, including Florida Department of Environmental Protection, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, are contributing expertise and experience to the assessment and removal efforts.
To learn more about the ESF-10 Florida process of pollution recovery and vessel removal, click here.
The public is encouraged to call the National Response Center at (800) 424-8802 to report any pollution incidents.
Operators with the Vessel Removal Hotline can be reached at 305-985-3744.
ST. CLAIRE SHORES, MI
(WXYZ) - All eastbound lanes of I-94 at Allard just before 8 Mile have reopened following a deadly crash.
Police tell Action News four people were killed in the accident this morning, but a baby survived. Good Samaritans stopped to rescue the child, who was still in a car seat.
"The baby was in the car seat...that was the only thing that probably... saved the baby," said crash witness John Wade as he wiped away tears.
Police say they do not believe anyone in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt except for the child.
Two men and two women died in the crash ranging from 18 to 25 years old, according to police. We're told the men were ejected from the vehicle.
The one-car crash was reported around 1 a.m. Police say the vehicle hit the wall while going under the 8 Mile overpass.
According to police, five people were traveling in a 2006 Buick SUV at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control.
Police say the child suffered minor injuries.
We would not be surprised that these dead people were also drunk, in addition to speeding on a wet roadway. They will not do this again!
======================
4 people killed in SUV crash on I-94 in Harper Woods; toddler survives
Vehicle crashes on slick interstate near 8 Mile Road
By Nick Monacelli - Reporter , Dave Bartkowiak Jr.
November 13, 2017
ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. - Four people were killed Monday morning when a SUV crashed on I-94 in Harper Woods.
Five people were in the vehicle when it crashed about 1 a.m. on the slick interstate near 8 Mile Road. Two men and two women were killed in the crash. A little boy -- a toddler -- survived the crash. He was examined at a hospital.
The boy was walking with firefighters.
Michigan State Police had the stretch of eastbound I-94 closed while a crash investigation continued. The interstate has since reopened to traffic.
Speed and wet weather may have played a role in this deadly crash, but it remains under investigation.
SUV crossed 3 lanes, hit bridge
State police said a preliminary investigation revealed the 2006 Buick SUV was traveling in the left lane at a high rate of speed passing other traffic when the driver lost control. The SUV crossed three lanes of traffic and struck the bridge.
The adults all were between 18 and 25 years old. State police said none of them were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
The toddler is 2 years old. He was buckled into a car seat and suffered only minor injuries.
Woman says crashes happen often this on stretch of I-94
Shannon Thurman lives in the area and said this stretch of I-94 always has been a problem.
"Every couple weeks there are sirens going down there. It always seems it's either right before the bridge over here, or right here," she said. "And I can tell you from experience people fly down this stretch going 80 mph, don't think about it. The other issue is that on-ramp right there, people don't merge well. It happens all the time."
The two men were ejected from the vehicle and were found on the interstate.
Car wash held for victim in fiery Phoenix crash
Posted: Nov 12, 2017 5:55 PM EST Updated: Nov 12, 2017 9:53 PM EST
By azfamily.com Staff
A car wash was held near 75th Avenue and Indian School Road for Ariella Santos. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5/GoFundMe)
People from around the community came and donated whatever they could at the car wash, whether that was money, food or drinks. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)
Three people, including two teenagers, were killed in the crash involving a stolen SUV. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)
The family was raising money for funeral expenses. (Source: 3TV/CBS 5)
There's a $6,000 goal for the GoFundMe. (Source: GoFundMe) PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -
Friends, family and a community came together for a fundraiser to help with funeral expenses for a girl killed in a fiery crash in Phoenix.
They held a car wash on Sunday near 75th Avenue and Indian School Road for Ariella Santos. She was one of three people, including two teenagers, killed in the crash involving a stolen SUV.
People from around the community came and donated whatever they could at the car wash, whether that was money, food or drinks.
"It means everything to me, it means everything to all of us here as a family," George Santos, Ariella's brother, said.
There were seven people in the SUV when they crashed into another SUV on Monday night. Several people helped pull them from the SUV when it caught fire.
One of those was a woman who showed up at Sunday's car wash and brought food and drinks.
"We're just grateful for everyone right now," Santos said.
A GoFundMe page has been set up for Ariella.
The 14-year-old boy driving the SUV survived and charges could be coming soon, police said.
Police said the SUV was stolen Sunday, Nov. 5, near Dunlap Avenue and Interstate 17 with the keys left inside the vehicle.
These reckless criminals paid with their life. They will not do this again: stealing an SUV, speeding and driving recklessly in the city. We have 8 billion humans on this planet. We do not need any more human trash.
========================
PHOENIX, AZ (AP) — Phoenix police have identified the three people killed in a stolen SUV that collided with another vehicle.
Authorities say 38-year-old Melissa Bishop, 14-year-old Promise Garcia and 13-year-old Ariella Santos died from their injuries in Monday night's crash.
Garcia was initially reported as an adult.
Police spokesman Sgt. Vince Lewis says four others in the vehicle were injured, including the 14-year-old driver.
His injuries are not life-threatening.
Lewis says shortly after police learned the SUV had been stolen, authorities received a call of a crash on a frontage road near Interstate 17 and Greenway Road.
The SUV crashed into another vehicle turning from Greenway onto the frontage road on a green light.
The other vehicle's driver was treated at the scene.
Lewis says neither driver showed signs of impairment.
These reckless criminals
paid with their life. They will not do this again: stealing an SUV,
speeding and driving recklessly in the city. We have 8 billion humans
on this planet. We do not need any more human trash.
========================
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -
Phoenix police say a 14-year-old boy was behind the wheel in a fiery crash that left three people dead.
The crash happened Monday night around 8 p.m. near Interstate 17 and Greenway Road.
Phoenix police Sgt. Vince Lewis said the incident started on the I-17 freeway when a Department of Public Safety trooper spotted a stolen white SUV.
Lewis said the SUV was traveling in the northbound lanes of the freeway near Dunlap Avenue and was not stopping for the DPS trooper.
Minutes later, the SUV exited the freeway at Greenway Road and collided with a Honda CRV, then hit a wall, bursting into flames upon impact.
Phoenix fire Capt. Jake Van Hook said seven people were in the stolen SUV.
The driver of the SUV, a 14-year-old boy, was hurt, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
An adult female passenger was declared dead at the scene.
A 38-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the hospital.
A 14-year-old girl, a 20-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were also hurt, but their injuries were not life-threatening,
The driver of the Honda was treated at the scene.
Police say neither driver showed signs of impairment.
It's unclear what the relationship between the seven people are but police said the teenage driver had the same last name as somebody else in the stolen SUV.
The investigation is ongoing. These reckless criminals
paid with their life. They will not do this again: stealing an SUV,
speeding and driving recklessly in the city. We have 8 billion humans
on this planet. We do not need any more human trash.===========
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -
Three people have died after a crash on Greenway Road at Interstate 17 in Phoenix on Monday night, according to police.
Phoenix police Sgt. Vince Lewis said the incident began on the I-17 freeway when a Department of Public Safety trooper spotted a stolen SUV.
Lewis said the SUV was traveling in the northbound lanes of the freeway near Dunlap Avenue and was not stopping for the pursuing DPS trooper.
The SUV exited the freeway at Greenway Road and collided with another SUV, bursting into flames after the impact.
Phoenix fire Capt. Jake Van Hook said seven people were in the stolen SUV.
A 16-year-old boy, a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl were taken to the hospital in serious condition, said Van Hook.
There were also four adults, three women and a man, in the stolen SUV. One of the adult women died at the scene and the other died at the hospital. A 30-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman are in serious condition.
Phoenix police said another individual died at the hospital but did not release information on age or gender.
The driver of the second SUV that was hit was not seriously injured.
Police said the 14-year-old boy was driving at the time of the crash.
It's unclear what the relationship between the seven people are but police said the teenage driver had the same last name as somebody else in the stolen SUV.
The exit ramps from I-17 to Greenway Road were closed as well as Greenway Road at I-17 while police conducted the investigation.
These reckless criminals
paid with their life. They will not do this again: stealing an SUV,
speeding and driving recklessly in the city. We have 8 billion humans
on this planet. We do not need any more human trash.
