For the first time in the state’s history, a Washington employer will go to jail for the death of one of his employees due to trench safety violations. The incident occurred back in 2016 when a worker was crushed to death under more than 6,000 pounds of dirt when an 8- to 10-foot-deep trench caved...
Confined spaces continue to present fatal hazards to workers, and OSHA continues to take notice. While OSHA lists fewer confined space accidents in 2021 than in 2020, 100% of them involved fatalities. the following summaries are from OSHA News Releases. These tragedies serve as reminders to employers and rescuers of the inherent dangers involved in...
Ten years ago we published a review of the statistics from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries in confined spaces. How have the stats changed over the years?
By Pat Furr, Safety Officer & VPP Coordinator The US Coast Guard issued a warning on the dangers of confined spaces after three crew members died of asphyxiation on a drilling rig. Although this tragedy occurred during a maritime operation and does not fall under the OSHA general industry nor the construction industry standards for...
An Ohio excavating company faces $202,201 in penalties and was placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program1 after an employee suffered fatal injuries in a trench collapse.
Comments by Dennis O’Connell, Roco Director of Training & Chief Instructor
Second-degree manslaughter charges have been filed against the owner of a Seattle construction company resulting from a 2016 trench fatality. This marks the first time a workplace fatality in Washington state has prompted a felony charge, according to the Washington Department of Labor & Industries.
By Josh (JC) Hill, Roco Technical Equipment Manager & Chief Instructor
KEY LARGO, Fla. – Three workers in the Florida Keys died Monday morning (Jan 16) after they were overcome by fumes, authorities said. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said they responded to reports of three people down. The victims were working at a road project.
