Vicksburg plant cited after July worker death
OSHA described the citations as serious and proposed penalties of $42,500.
The death occurred when a supervisor was crushed by beams knocked over by an unbalanced load being lowered by crane.
"If this employer had taken the time to plan the work, analyze the possible hazards and prepare accordingly, this fatality could have been prevented, OSHA's Jackson area director told AP. "So-called ‘struck-by’ accidents are now the leading cause of worker deaths in the Southeast."
OSHA cited LeTourneau for failing to: conduct hazard assessments before beginning the lift; train employees in proper hook-up, anchoring and tie-off procedures; assure that loads were safely rigged before being hoisted; assure that workers used fall protection equipment when working 50 feet above the ground, securing I-beams; and properly maintain a crane's remote control.
The company had 15 working days to contest the citations and proposed penalties.
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