Too many Missouri workers lose their lives or are severely injured in preventable workplace accidents. Employers must provide work environments that are clear of known hazards. Unfortunately, some company owners choose to disregard the safety regulations that are prescribed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Such negligence may lead to a fatal work accident.
A Missouri manufacturer was recently added to OSHA’s list of severe violators and will be closely monitored in the future. This followed an investigation into the death of a worker in September of 2014. According to regulations, employers should ensure that all machines are fitted with proper lockout/tagout equipment that will prevent working parts from becoming active unintentionally. Workers should receive safety training in the proper use of these safety systems.
OSHA investigators determined that the September fatality was caused by the lack of a device to prevent the sudden activation of a movable scrap metal table. The table reportedly lowered when it should have been stationary, trapping the worker against a railing. A general lack of safety systems in the facility led to 15 citations, three of which were classified as willful.
Any Missouri family who has to cope with the loss of a loved one after a fatal work accident may be entitled to death benefits as provided by the workers’ compensation insurance fund. After successfully pursuing a claim for such benefits, the fund typically covers end-of-life expenses. In addition, a financial package that is based on the deceased worker’s latest income level will assist a spouse and dependents with living expenses.
Source: ehstoday.com, “Missouri Manufacturer Named a Severe Violator by OSHA after Worker Killed on the Job“, Ginger Christ, March 17, 2015