Investigation of Worker’s Fatal Fall finds Henderson Sawmill, Pallet Manufacturer Exposed Workers to Willful, Serious Hazards

Investigation of Worker’s Fatal Fall finds Henderson Sawmill, Pallet Manufacturer Exposed Workers to Willful, Serious Hazards

W.D. Townley and Son Lumber Company Inc. faces $389K in penalties.

  • By Shereen Hashem
  • Feb 07, 2022

A federal investigation into fatal injuries suffered by an 86-year-old worker at a Henderson, Texas sawmill and pallet manufacturer found the company exposed workers to hazardous energy sources and lack of machine guarding.

OSHA opened an inspection on July 28, 2021, after receiving a report that the worker had fallen from a stack of pallets on July 6, 2021, at W.D. Townley and Son Lumber Company Inc.

According to a press release, OSHA cited the company for willful violations for failing to use energy control procedures and implement a hearing conservation program, as required by law. The agency also issued citations for serious violations for lack of machine guarding, failing to use PPE, not addressing the hazards from operating powered industrial trucks and neglecting to notify OSHA within eight hours of a work-related fatality as required. The lumber company faces $389,706 in proposed penalties.

“Sawmill operations can be hazardous work, but it should not be life-threatening,” said OSHA Area Director Basil Singh in Dallas. “W.D. Townley and Son Lumber Company Inc. showed a complete disregard for their employees’ well-being. OSHA will hold employers accountable when they neglect their legal responsibility to provide workers with a safe workplace.”

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent OSHRC. Learn more about machine guarding, lockout/tagout procedures and powered industrial truck safety.

About the Author

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

Product Showcase

  • Glove Guard® Clip

    Safety should never be compromised, especially when it comes to proper glove usage. The Glove Guard® clip enhances safety by encouraging employees to keep their gloves with them at all times. This reduces the risk of accidents and injuries on the job. By ensuring everyone has their gloves readily available, we help promote a culture of safety and efficiency. The Glove Guard® clip is designed to withstand the toughest work environments. Constructed from robust materials made in the USA, it can endure extreme conditions, including harsh weather, and rigorous activities. 3

  • SECUPRO MARTEGO

    FOR HIGHEST DEMANDS. A cutting tool in which function and design go hand in hand. Meet the SECUPRO MARTEGO, our prize-winning squeeze-grip safety knife with fully automatic retractable blade for safety. • Ergonomically friendly trigger mechanism to engage the blade • Durable body made of aluminum • Safer alternative to fixed blade utility knives for general cutting tasks • 9 mm Cutting depth • Easy, tool free blade change Dimensions: L 6.10" L x 0.71" W x 1.91" H Weight: 3.70 oz Cutting Depth: 9 mm 3

  • Matrix's OmniPro Vision AI Collision Avoidance System

    OmniPro Vision AI is a state-of-the-art collision avoidance system that features NIOSH award-winning Visual Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This highly accurate, powerful system identifies and alerts on pedestrians, vehicles and specified objects, ensuring safer facilities, mining operations and industrial sites. With its web-based cloud application, OmniPro Vision AI also logs and analyzes a wide range of data related to zone breach notifications. Operating without needing personal wearable devices or tags, OmniPro has visual and audible zone breach alerts for both operators and pedestrians. 3

Featured

Most   Popular