Construction Company Fined By OSHA For Fatal Accident

OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) has cited a construction company for  violating the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Diamond Sawing and Coring LLC of Summerfield, Kansas was cited following an investigation into a fatal accident that occurred in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The investigation brought to light two alleged violations that could have contributed to a construction worker falling from an elevated platform that was affixed to a skid steer loader to the concrete below.

According to Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, MO., the accident could have been prevented.  Supposedly the violations stemmed from a lack of employee training and the employer altering equipment without first evaluating if the equipment could support the alteration.

"It's imperative that employers eliminate hazards and provide a safe work environment to prevent accidents from occurring," said Adkins.

The violation carries $13,000 in penalties against the company.  The company now has 15 business days to comply with the citation, request a conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Serious citations, like the one against Diamond Sawing and Coring LLC, are issued when death or serious physical harm is caused or is likely to have been caused from a hazard that an employer knew about or should have known about.

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