A construction company is facing $370,347 in fines after a worker died when he was pulled into a hot asphalt silo.
Investigators came to the conclusion on May 4th for the incident that occurred on Nov. 2nd.
The 18-year-old was said to have been working with TJ Campbell Construction Co. for just three months when the accident occurred.
While many details surrounding the case were not made public, The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, reported that the construction company’s “failure to prevent sudden start-up of a conveyor system” is what contributed to the worker’s death.
“A young worker was barely three months on the job when his life was tragically cut short,” said OSHA Area Director Steven Kirby in Oklahoma City. “Had TJ Campbell Construction Company provided their workers with the required training on controlling hazardous energy and ensuring proper shutdown before any attempt to remove debris was made, this young man would have ended his workday safely.”
In addition to the conveyor system, OSHA also found several other safety hazards. The company was also fined for permitting unguarded pulleys, chain and sprockets on walking and working surfaces, failing to apply energy isolation devices, missing handrails on stairways, and uncovered holes in the floor of walking working surfaces.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply.