Two Employers Face OSHA Citations After Tragic Incident at Florida Cement Silo

Two Employers Face OSHA Citations After Tragic Incident at Florida Cement Silo

G & R Mineral Services Inc. and HM Southeast Cement LLC face more than $82,000 in proposed penalties.

  • By Robert Yaniz Jr.
  • Feb 15, 2024

Following a fatal incident resulting in the death of a 39-year-old worker, OSHA has cited G & R Mineral Services Inc. and HM Southeast Cement LLC for proposed penalties totaling $82,269.

According to a release dated Feb. 13, the worker—employed by Birmingham, Alabama-based G & R Mineral Services—was repairing a screw conveyor system at a cement silo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, operated by HM Southeast Cement. During a work day in August 2023, the machinery was unexpectedly energized, leading to fatal injuries caused to the worker. OSHA found the incident was preventable with the proper communication and safety procedures.

More specifically, inspectors concluded that G & R Mineral Services failed to protect employees from unguarded machinery, did not establish specific lockout/tagout procedures and neglected to inform the host employer of their safety protocols, resulting in proposed penalties of $38,715.

Similarly, HM Southeast Cement faced citations for failing to develop energy control procedures, not conducting periodic inspections to prevent accidental machinery engagement and lacking contractor coordination on lockout-tagout procedures. Proposed penalties equal $43,554.

“This tragedy is a reminder of the importance of properly developed and implemented lockout/tagout procedures,” OSHA Area Office Director Condell Eastmond in Fort Lauderdale said via statement. “Employers and contractors must assess the hazards before anyone touches the machinery and must use lockout/tagout procedures to prevent serious injuries or death.”

G & R Mineral Services, a maintenance and repair contractor, and HM Southeast Cement, a bulk cement distributor, both have 15 business days from the receipt of their citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA or contest the agency’s findings.

About the Author

Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.

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