Company appeals fine in double fatal: Workers sucked into water pipe
March 5, 2009 by Fred HosierPosted in: Bizarre Accident of the Week, cost of safety, Fatality, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, OSHA news, Who Got Fined and Why?
PDF A construction company is appealing a fine from California’s OSHA in the wake of a double fatality.
Two Teichert Construction employees were killed In October 2008 after they were sucked into and drowned inside a 30-inch underground pipe they were working in after an excavator hit a nearby eight-inch water pipe, according to the Paso Robles Press.
Cal/OSHA issued a $140,000 fine for two willful citations involving subsurface installations and removal of employees from hazardous areas.
The citation alleges Teichert was aware the workplace presented a hazard but made no reasonable effort to address it.
Cal/OSHA also alleges that the foreman was informed numerous times about the existence of a water line, according to the citation.
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Tags: construction, double fatal, drowned, OSHA fine
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March 9th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
One of the biigest ripoffs in this world are Law suits similar to the lady who smokes her self to near death and then because of a (One, single, Solitary) perfume mishap she is now permanaently disabled and needs oxygen. and OH by the way, lets blame the Employer. These kind of law suits need to be thrown out before they start. tell me she was forced to smoke for 40 years or that the company supplied her with cigarrettes and then maybe she has a case. The cost of these issues is huge and in most cases the attorney is looking for the company to settle to save court costs. The attorney takes the lions share and we all pay for 2 dead beats. I would like to think our legal system was not founded to inhance these type of lawsuits. Justice, I beleive should be predicated on common sense, and people need to be made resposible for their own actions. This woman could just as easily breathed this air at the mall, On the way to work or in an elevator. Had this woman requested any special concession for her health? Was the company made aware prior to this instance? A company needs to have an opportunity to resolve an issue before it can be found guilty. Next we will have laws that employees or people in general can not where cologne or perfumes or deodarant (the list goes on) in public places. Or folks will have to pay a special tax in order to do so. Some body please step up and apply reason and common sense.
March 10th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Dave, this has nothing to do with the topic in question. Get with the program and pay attention.
March 10th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
The article did not supply enough information regarding the facts surrounding the incident. Not surprising since the incident happened in October 2008. Teichert is a very good company with a very good safety record. I find it difficult to believe that they would not address a recognized hazard. We have worked with them in the past on some projects and their safety practices were impecable. In any case, they must appeal the citation. This is not one you would just pay and move on. I won’t be surprised to hear of pending lawsuits by family members. It will be interesting to read the case after all claims, suits, etc. have been settled. We perform a fair amount of trench work and definitely will learn something from this horrible incident.
March 11th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Dave and Cindy, I have been in construction for 30 years and know most all saftey regulations. As for this case I know very well about it and everything statement that was made to OSHA and the Coners office. none of you know nothing about this other than one of two things 1 you work for Teichert construction or you just have nothing better to do. Get the FACTS and you will see that this case will end up with criminal charges and I hope the managment as well. Trust me someone is going to jail, and that is justice!!!
Dave thank you for having a brain and using it.
May 24th, 2010 at 9:28 am
So much hostility. What’s going on? We can’t be more kind to each than that.
If we all were a littel more tolerant of each others point of view and differences, we could get a lot more work done.
Dave, you did respond to the wrong article above but I think you made some real good points.
Bill, chill.
Mark, if you have all the facts, that’s great. Cindy stated that she doesn’t and shared her opinion from what she did know. Trust you? How do we know you have all the facts straight?
I’m wasting my time aren’t I?