OSHA Fines Concrete Plant $90K for Crushing HazardsOSHA Fines Concrete Plant $90K for Crushing Hazards

March 26, 2020

4 Min Read
OSHA Fines Concrete Plant $90K for Crushing Hazards
A concrete plant in the US Virgin Islands was fined by OSHA after a worker died in a forklift-related accident. Image courtesy of Pixabay

High Quality Concrete, a concrete plant in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, was issued a fine of $90,217 after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) uncovered a number of safety hazards at the facility, the agency said in a release Monday.

An investigation was opened by OSHA after a worker died at the site on Sept. 6, 2019. The employee was using a forklift to lift and move a 3,200 lb bag of cement, when it overturned because the load was unstable. 

The agency cited the firm for willful, serious, and other-than-serious violations, including failing to properly train workers on proper lifting and transportation of loads. High Quality Concrete was also cited for not ensuring forklift operators wore seatbelts and understood how to handle stable loads.

“Proper training on the safe use of a forklift could have prevented this tragedy,” OSHA Puerto Rico Area Director Alfredo Nogueras said in a statement. “Identifying hazards and implementing best practices during the load handling process can protect workers from serious and fatal injuries.”

The company has 15 business days after receiving the citations to comply, challenge the findings before an independent panel, or request an informal conference with an OSHA area director. 

Earlier this month, Powder & Bulk Solids reported that OSHA published a document, “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19,” that provides companies with guidance on how to respond to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in American workplaces. 

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