The Oregon location of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined a company after a fatal work accident. The company is North American Power Line Construction Services Inc. After a further investigation of the work accident, the company was fined approximately $7,000.
The tragic incident occurred when the utility worker was in a lift basket high above the ground. He was attempting to photograph work that had recently been completed when the basket tipped over. He fell approximately 25 feet and suffered severe head injuries. It is assumed that this accident occurred while the man was completing his normal work duties.
It is thought that the company provided unsafe work conditions, and that these circumstances contributed to his death. Some of the unsafe and potentially dangerous hazards include the fact that the lift was located on an incline when the worker fell. Additionally, appropriate safety rigging was not used, and the workers had not attached themselves properly on the utility pole. It is possible that the company had not provided proper safety training or that the workers had been given a dangerous assignment.
Any time a worker is killed in the performance of his or her job duties, it is tragic and often preventable. In this particular work accident, it seems that the family of the Oregon worker could seek workers’ compensation for the unexpected death of their loved one. When it appears that there is evidence of unsafe work conditions, it could serve as proof that the family may be eligible. Any workers’ compensation case would be best bolstered by evidence and documentation to support the claims.
Source: The Register-Guard, Utility line company fined over death of an employee, Jack Moran, Feb. 14, 2014
