IOSHA Cites Manufacturer for Safety Failure in Worker Death

The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration (IOSHA) has cited a Michigan company with a “serious” workplace safety violation following the November 24, 2023, death of a worker in Crawfordsville, IN.

The incident happened at Edw. C. Levy Co., dba Whitesville Mill Services.

Following the worker’s death, IOSHA conducted a safety inspection between November 27, 2023, to May 16, 2024, records show.

On May 16, IOSHA issued a safety order citing Edw. C. Levy Co. with a “serious” violation because they “did not furnish employees a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees.”

On November 24, 2023, during work activities, an employee was operating a material handling crane that had a boom arm that was able to hoist the load above the operator's cab. Among other methods, the citation stated, one feasible and acceptable method to correct this hazard is to install and maintain a working physical limit switch on material handling cranes to restrict angle.

The safety order did not state any additional details on the circumstances surrounding the worker’s death.

The proposed penalty is $4,900 for the safety violation.

Founded in 1918, Edw. C. Levy Co. of Dearborn, MI, provides services that include construction materials including cement, concrete, and aggregates; road building; flame cutting and treatment; steel mill services; logistics; and laboratory testing, according to its website. They have seven locations throughout Indiana, including Whitesville Mill Services in Crawfordsville.