Trucking Company Fined $9,100 Following 'Senseless' Fatality
OSHA has cited Wynne Transport Service Inc. of Omaha, Neb., for alleged violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The agency cited the company following an investigation into a fatal incident June 12 near Endicott, Neb., where an employee was preparing to pump a load of liquid asphalt for road construction from one parked truck to another. The worker was killed when one of the trucks unexpectedly rolled into the other, pinning the worker between the two trucks.
"This workplace accident was senseless and completely preventable," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "Employers must ensure they provide the necessary equipment and training for their workers to prevent accidents like this from occurring."
OSHA inspectors found one alleged serious and one alleged other-than-serious violation of the OSH Act with proposed penalties totaling $9,100. The serious violation is for failing to set the vehicle's parking brake and chock the wheels. The other-than-serious violation relates to the employer's failure to report the accident within eight hours.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Omaha, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.