Today's News

City cited in accident that leaves worker with herniated discs (7/24)

The city of Niagara Falls, N.Y., has been hit with six safety violations from the state’s Department of Labor in connection with a workplace injury accident in May.

Meanwhile, the injured maintenance worker has filed a grievance with the city and is still questioning why, after two months, Department of Public Works Manager John Soro has never been disciplined for allowing the unsafe conditions to continue, according to the Niagara Gazette.

Mark Dinnocenzio was operating the city’s asphalt recycling machine at the corporation yard on May 3 when he slipped from a makeshift platform consisting of concrete cylinders and fell three feet, landing face first onto the ground. Dinnocenzio suffered three bulging discs and two herniated discs in his back and undergoes chiropractic care three times a week.

According to a report filed by an outside safety consultant the city employs, the accident could have been prevented if safety suggestions the group made seven months earlier were followed by Soro.

The consultants suggested that a work platform with railing be built after inspecting the new $150,000 machine on Nov. 21, but no action was taken.

The lack of a railing and toe board to secure the platform is one of three “serious” violations for which the worksite has been cited by the department of labor’s Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau (PESH). The report also lists two other serious violations at the site: A railing was not installed with the stairway leading up to the platform, and containers consisting of hazardous chemicals at the workplace were not properly labeled.

The lack of a written respiratory protection program installed at the worksite was among three “non-serious” violations against the city listed in the PESH report. In addition, the city was tagged for not properly assessing the workplace to determine if hazards were present.

Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to ISHN.

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Multimedia

Videos

Image Galleries

ISHN's Favorite Cover Images

Take a look at some of our favorite cover images!

THE MAGAZINE

ISHN Magazine

May 2013 ISHN cover

2013 May

The cover story of ISHN's May issue is about how lower exposure limits lead to conservative sensor settings. Also, check out some tips on how to avoid heat stress and advice on how to improve hand hygiene.

Table Of Contents Subscribe

THE ISHN STORE

ANSI/ASSE A10.1-2011 Pre-Project & Pre-Task Safety and Health Planning

This standard establishes the elements and activities for pre-project and pre-task safety and health planning in construction.

More Products

Clear Seas Research

Clear Seas ResearchWith access to over one million professionals and more than 60 industry-specific publications,Clear Seas Research offers relevant insights from those who know your industry best. Let us customize a market research solution that exceeds your marketing goals.

ISHN Webinars are an easy, effective and convenient way to get educated and informed on the latest industry trends and topics. All Webinars are FREE unless indicated. For more information, check out our Events page!

STAY CONNECTED

Facebook logo Twitter YouTubeLinkedIn