OSHA declares workplace accident should not have happened

Training is a vital part of any Arizona industry. Instructing workers how to safely perform their duties is the responsibility of every employer. When that training is not provided, a workplace accident is practically inevitable.

For example, a man in another state was attempting to inflate and mount a rim wheel that was in multiple parts when a piece flew off and struck him in the head. The accident occurred on Oct. 31, 2016. The man succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 11. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation and determined that his death was preventable.

According to OSHA, the Massachusetts auto parts store failed to properly train its employees how to safely deal with multi-piece rim wheels. In addition, no device was in place to restrain the tire during inflation to prevent the accident that killed the worker. OSHA even provides a free guide regarding how to properly inflate these particular wheels, which makes this man’s death preventable. This was not the only issue discovered by OSHA. In fact, 11 of the 12 violations found are considered to be serious.

While OSHA was investigating this workplace accident, the victim’s family was forced to bury him prematurely. More than likely, they also sustained significant financial losses associated with his death and loss of his income. Under similar circumstances here in Arizona, surviving family members might receive workers’ compensation benefits to help with burial and funeral costs, along with the loss of income. These benefits will certainly not make up for the loss of a family member, but they might at least lessen the monetary burdens connected to the loss.

Source: milforddailynews.com, “OSHA: Bellingham workplace death ‘preventable’“, Mike Gleason, Jan. 17, 2017

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