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Following the fatal electrocution of a worker on May 15, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited St. Louis Cold Drawn for 26 safety violations, including 19 serious violations, according to an OSHA news release. The worker was electrocuted when he reached into an energized electrical panel box to retrieve work gloves that were stored in the box.
“Allowing workers to be exposed to live electricity without enforcing electrical safe work practices is inexcusable,” said Bill McDonald, OSHA’s area director in St. Louis. “Employers, such as St. Louis Cold Drawn, have a responsibility to train workers in safe electrical work practices, such as recognizing unsafe conditions when exposed to hazards.”
OSHA discovered the violations while conducting a post-fatality accident inspection, and many of the violations relate to safe electrical work practices, including:
Exposing workers to live electricity
Not providing personal protective equipment for workers exposed to the danger of electrical shock or arc flash
Using electrical equipment in disrepair
Open grounding of electrical equipment
Failing to train workers who may be exposed to electrical shock on safe work practices and lockout procedures for equipment
St. Louis Cold Drawn’s 26 violations have netted it a proposed fine of $51,800, which it has 15 business days from receipt to comply with, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director about or contest before an independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
St. Louis Cold Drawn’s seeming disregard for the safety of its employees may have cost one of them his or her life and has put the rest in danger of befalling the same fate.
Please visit our site to learn how we can help you fight for your rights if you have been injured on the job or lost a loved one in a fatal accident caused by someone else’s negligence, including helping you handle Social Security disability and workers’ comp claims. For more information about your workplace rights or to schedule a free consultation with one of our Columbus workers’ comp attorneys, contact our firm today.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys