Settlement Reached Between DOL and Mass Bay Electrical
The settlement commits the contractor to make extensive corrective action.
OSHA announced a settlement between the Department of Labor and Mass Bay Electrical Corp. The settlement commits the contractor, based in East Boston, to "extensive corrective action to prevent future deaths and injuries" and establishes a training fund in memory of the two men killed when a crane fell in 2014. OSHA initially cited the company for not training employees properly or evaluating their ability to operate the crane properly. The company also failed to follow procedures for safely operating the crane, according to the agency.
"The deaths of Joseph Boyd III and John Loughran should never have occurred. Effective and ongoing training of employees and adherence to the clear safety requirements set forth by the equipment's manufacturer are critical in preventing fatalities like these from happening again. This settlement requires Mass Bay Electrical Corp. to take stringent, detailed, continual and effective corrective action," said Kim Stille, OSHA's New England regional administrator.
Per the settlement, Mass Bay Electrical has agreed to repeat violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act for failing to comply with the manufacturer's instructions for safely operating the crane and for failing to ensure that operators were properly evaluated or trained, as well as a number of other serious violations. Mass Bay also agrees to perform a number of corrective actions, such as extensive certification and training for management and employees on crane and aerial lift operations and safety standards.
The company has also been required to establish an endowment fund in the names of the deceased workers in order to provide scholarships to workers interested in obtaining training and education in the fields of line construction project management and safety.