OSHA Fines Company After Worker Killed by Lightning
A Pleasantville construction company was fined for an accident that resulted in the death of one worker and the injury of another. According to the Press of Atlantic City, the accident occurred as a thunderstorm rolled in. OSHA determined that the job site should have been shut down after storm warnings were issued in the area.
The accident occurred September 15, 2011. The $3,000 fine was issued in November, but the details of the violation were only recently made public, after the six-month window following the investigation had closed.
The workers were pouring concrete from a hopper when the accident occurred. About 30 minutes earlier, the National Weather Service had issued a warning of strong thunderstorms. Lightning struck the hopper, killing one worker and burning the hand of another.
The OSHA investigation showed that the incident “exposed seven people to danger,” though it did not specify who the other workers were.
This particular construction company had reportedly never faced OSHA sanctions before, according to records.
OSHA is tasked with ensuring that construction sites operate in a safe manner for the benefit of everyone on the job site and those who are present after construction is complete. Accidents like this one, and even those that are less serious, can end in sanctions for the company in charge of the site.
In addition to fines, the company can be held responsible by the victim or the victim’s family in the case of death.
You have the right to work on a safe job site, and it’s your employers’ responsibility to ensure that the chances for safety accidents are minimized. If you are injured, they can be held responsible for the costs associated with your injuries, among other things.
How Ginarte Can Help
If you’ve been injured in a New York or New Jersey construction accident, including an electrical accident, we may be able to help. Whether you fell or had a run-in with faulty equipment, you could be entitled to compensation for those injuries.
A construction accident can be expensive. As the medical bills pile up, you might be unable to work, making the situation even more difficult.
Contact our NY / NJ construction accident attorneys today for a free consultation on your case. We will audit your case and discuss your options with you, helping you get justice for your accident.
