Tarrytown, NY is Liable for the Deaths of 2 Workers and Violating OSHA Regulations
On September 6, 2010, a Public Works employee and Village Firefighter for 30 years went down a manhole to clear a sewer and collapsed 20 feet down. A state Dept. of Transportation employee and Village Firefighter of 33 years went down the manhole to rescue the collapsed man. These two men died from low oxygen levels. The Dept. of Labor investigated this incident and discovered many violations which include the town’s failure to properly train workers or comply to laws regarding creating programs, following policies, and providing a safe work environment. The Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau (PESH) states that Tarrytown violated 4 serious regulations. The workers entered a confined space they were not trained authorized to go into, however, their supervisors let the workers proceed. Tarryown had a program for confined space training and procedures in 1990 but after the last worker retired by 2004, the program was discontinued. To prevent workers from entering manholes and sewers, the town used high powered water jets to clear sewer blockage and allowed workers to stay outside the confined areas.
May this be a reminder and wake up call for any town or business to provide a safe work environment. Make sure your business is following OSHA regulations to prevent any serious injuries or tragedies. If you are looking for any information about general liability or worker’s compensation, there are agencies that can help you answer your questions as well as help your business determine ways to stay protected from any serious and detrimental events.
On September 6, 2010, a Public Works employee and Village Firefighter for 30 years went down a manhole to clear a sewer and collapsed 20 feet down. A state Dept. of Transportation employee and Village Firefighter of 33 years went down the manhole to rescue the collapsed man. These two men died from low oxygen levels. The Dept. of Labor investigated this incident and discovered many violations which include the town’s failure to properly train workers or comply to laws regarding creating programs, following policies, and providing a safe work environment. The Public Employee Safety and Health Bureau (PESH) states that Tarrytown violated 4 serious regulations. The workers entered a confined space they were not trained authorized to go into, however, their supervisors let the workers proceed. Tarryown had a program for confined space training and procedures in 1990 but after the last worker retired by 2004, the program was discontinued. To prevent workers from entering manholes and sewers, the town used high powered water jets to clear sewer blockage and allowed workers to stay outside the confined areas.
May this be a reminder and wake up call for any town or business to provide a safe work environment. Make sure your business is following OSHA regulations to prevent any serious injuries or tragedies. If you are looking for any information about general liability or worker’s compensation, there are agencies that can help you answer your questions as well as help your business determine ways to stay protected from any serious and detrimental events.