The Occupational Health & Safety Administration (OSHA) has issued Metal Shredders, a subsidiary of Cohen Bros., M iddletown, Ohio, one willful and eight serious safety violations involving electrical safe work practices. The agency has proposed penalties of $115,000. The fine followed an investigation initiated by OSHA after the electrocution of a Metal Shredders maintenance worker, according to the agency.
On Oct. 16, 2014, OSHA’s Cincinnati-area office initiated an inspection and found Metal Shredders failed to protect the welder from an energized electrical line while he was cutting a metal roof off an industrial transformer substation at the facility. The failure resulted in the death of the employee.
OSHA also has issued Cohen Bros., Metal Shredders' parent company, three serious safety violations for failing to train employees in electrical safe work practices and proposed penalties of $21,000.
OSHA says its investigators found Metal Shredders failed to verify that electrical lines were absent of voltage after turning off the disconnect switch inside the transformer substation cabinet, resulting in a willful violation. The employee attempted to enter the substation by climbing over a concrete wall and fence on the side of the transformer substation, and his foot touched the electrical line, which was still energized, and he was electrocuted, OSHA asserts.
“This was a tragic death that could have been prevented by following basic safety practices for working with high voltage transmission lines,” says Ken Montgomery, OSHA area director in Cincinnati. “Employers who work with high-voltage electricity must train workers in recognizing hazards and proper procedures to de-energize lines, and ensure the working environment is safe. No workers should lose their life on the job.”
In an official statement, Cohen Bros. says, “(OSHA) issued incorrect and unfounded citations today against our company for the October accident that took the life of Geff Garnett. We strongly dispute the citations but are continuing to cooperate with OSHA to bring about the withdrawal of the citations.
“Safety is the core value of Cohen Recycling, and we have a long-standing and recognized commitment to the health and safety of our employees,” the company continues.
On Oct. 16, 2014, OSHA’s Cincinnati-area office initiated an inspection and found Metal Shredders failed to protect the welder from an energized electrical line while he was cutting a metal roof off an industrial transformer substation at the facility. The failure resulted in the death of the employee.
OSHA also has issued Cohen Bros., Metal Shredders' parent company, three serious safety violations for failing to train employees in electrical safe work practices and proposed penalties of $21,000.
OSHA says its investigators found Metal Shredders failed to verify that electrical lines were absent of voltage after turning off the disconnect switch inside the transformer substation cabinet, resulting in a willful violation. The employee attempted to enter the substation by climbing over a concrete wall and fence on the side of the transformer substation, and his foot touched the electrical line, which was still energized, and he was electrocuted, OSHA asserts.
“This was a tragic death that could have been prevented by following basic safety practices for working with high voltage transmission lines,” says Ken Montgomery, OSHA area director in Cincinnati. “Employers who work with high-voltage electricity must train workers in recognizing hazards and proper procedures to de-energize lines, and ensure the working environment is safe. No workers should lose their life on the job.”
In an official statement, Cohen Bros. says, “(OSHA) issued incorrect and unfounded citations today against our company for the October accident that took the life of Geff Garnett. We strongly dispute the citations but are continuing to cooperate with OSHA to bring about the withdrawal of the citations.
“Safety is the core value of Cohen Recycling, and we have a long-standing and recognized commitment to the health and safety of our employees,” the company continues.
“We remain deeply saddened by this tragic loss. We consider all employees of the Cohen companies to be part of the Cohen family, and our thoughts and prayers continue to be with everyone who is suffering this loss with us," the company concludes.
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