All workplaces contain hazards, though the degree of these hazards vary from place to place. Something that could seem like a simple malfunction with a piece of machinery or a process could ultimately prove fatal. Unfortunately, issues such as these may be difficult to recognize as a safety hazard. In fact, a man in Pennsylvania is said to have lost his life in an industrial accident.
The incident happened at approximately 7:30 a.m. on a day in mid-April. According to reports, the 25-year-old victim was working at G-S Products, a company that manufactures garbage trucks. The young victim was reportedly attempting to install a trash compactor.
The installation consisted of two pieces of metal. Reports indicate that the compactor jammed. When the young man attempted to fix the issue, a part failed, striking him and causing head trauma. The coroner claims that the man died as a result of blunt force trauma.
The incident likely remains under investigation by both local authorities and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Though the company could face fines, citations or some combination or both, this outcome will do little to help the man's surviving family members cope with the costs created by the Pennsylvania industrial accident. However, the man's family may deserve workers' compensation benefits, which can help them cope with the funeral costs and lost wages associated with the man's death. An attorney with experience with the process can help them determine and seek a fair settlement. While it will do little to alleviate their grief, doing so can ensure that their financial obligations are met, allowing them to focus on their overall recovery.
Source: wjactv.com, "Man killed in workplace accident in Somerset County", Matthew Stevens, April 17, 2018
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