Four companies have been fined for 30 serious safety violations that may have contributed to the death of a Russellville man at Arkansas Nuclear One in March.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Precision Surveillance Corp., Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., Siemens Power Generation Inc. and Entergy Operations Inc. Proposed penalties for all violations total $175,000.
A crane collapsed on March 31 killing Wade Walters, 24. Eight other workers were hurt.
A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known, according to OSHA.
“This tragedy could have been prevented had the employer ensured vital safeguards to protect workers from potential hazards and proper planning for a project of this magnitude,” said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA’s area director in Little Rock. “OSHA will hold the employers accountable for not meeting their workplace safety and health responsibilities.”
The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Citations for Precision Surveillance can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Precision_Surveillance_Corp_898609_0926_13.pdf
View citations for Bigge Crane and Rigging at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Bigge_Crane_and_Rigging_900571_0926_13.pdf
and Siemens Power Generation at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Siemens_Power_Generation_900545_0926_13.pdf
Citations for Entergy Operations are at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Entergy_Operations_900604_0926_13.pdf
