Massachusetts company fined for deadly workplace accident

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently levied fines against William H. Glancy & Sons Inc. The fines have been issued in connection with a deadly workplace accident that happened back in March of this year. A mechanic that had been with the company at least seven years was found dead beneath one of the company’s trucks.

The mechanic had gone underneath the truck, presumably without telling the driver that he was going to be under it. The driver proceeded to move the truck, and the mechanic was crushed underneath it. The rigging company has been in Massachusetts for nearly 100 years has been fined $9,310 for violating OSHA’s control standard for hazardous energy. This is not the first, but instead the third time the company has been fined over the years.

According to OSHA, the company did not have an adequate “logout/tagout” procedure for mechanics who were working on the company’s vehicles. The report went on to say that William H. Glancy & Sons, Inc. failed to provide the property equipment and training to the mechanic. As part of the settlement with OSHA, the company will be hiring a safety consultant to help the company correct its issues. No criminal charges are expected to be filed in connection with the man’s death.

Unfortunately, these efforts are too little too late for the mechanic that was killed in this workplace accident in March. Fortunately, under Massachusetts law, the man’s family is likely entitled to workers’ compensation death benefits to help with funeral costs and other final expenses. Moreover, these important state-regulated insurance benefits also provide a lost income package to covered dependents of the deceased worker.

Source: 

enterprisenews.com, “Avon crane company fined following OSHA investigation into fatal accident,” Amy Carboneau, July 30, 2013