US Airways has been fined by the US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for safety violations following an accident in which a luggage handler was crushed to death by a conveyor belt, according to sources. Robert Demarco, 60, was attempting to remove a jammed suitcase from a conveyer belt at an airport in Arizona when he was caught in the belt.
OSHA found US Airways to be partially at fault for the incident because it failed to train Demarco and other employees properly. The employees did not know how to shut down the conveyor belt.
“In this case while he was on the conveyor system or conveyor belt, there was a portion above him that suddenly lowered or dropped onto him and caused some blunt force trauma and asphyxiation, which resulted in his death,” said OSHA area director Darin Perkins. “We’re talking about a fatality here. These are conditions that we believe contributed directly to that fatality and so they are serious and not to be taken lightly.”
Proposed fines total $21,000. Hopefully, this sends a message to airlines and airports. Please visit our website for more information, and contact our office for a free consultation if you need to file for workers comp.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys
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