U.S. Department of Labor Cites Valmont Coatings for Exposing Workers to Multiple Safety Hazards after Investigation of Employees Death

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Valmont Coatings for Exposing Workers to Multiple Safety Hazards after Investigation of Employees Death

OSHA finds one willful and five serious violations.

  • By Shereen Hashem
  • Oct 08, 2021

OSHA investigated the death of a 19-year-old worker at a Valmont Coatings’ facility in Claremore, Oklahoma. The department found that the company failed to use proper rigging equipment and perform inspections and maintenance on cranes. The worker was attaching multiple small steel I-beams to a large lifting fixture when the entire assembly fell on him, according to a press release. OSHA also determined that the company, operating as Oklahoma Galvanizing, exposed workers to slip and trip hazards near hot-dip tanks and failed to provide required emergency showers and eyewash.

OSHA cited Valmont for one willful and five serious violations and proposed $202,000 in penalties.

"Equipment used to lift or move heavy parts must be inspected regularly and kept in good condition or removed from service to avoid worker injuries or fatalities," said OSHA Area Director Steven Kirby in Oklahoma City. "This employer's failure to do so cost a young worker his life."

Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Valmont Coatings is a leading provider of hot-dip galvanizing and applied coating services with 35 facilities in seven countries. It is a subsidiary of Valmont Industries Inc., which does business in more than 23 countries and operates 80 manufacturing facilities to produce engineered support structures, coatings, irrigation and utility support structures.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent OSHRC.

About the Author

Shereen Hashem is the Associate Content Editor for Occupational Health & Safety magazine.

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