Transformer manufacturer cited after fatal accident

Oct 7, 2019

Posted by Patrick Haddad

Mississippi-based transformer manufacturer Howard Industries Inc. has been cited by OSHA after a fatal accident at their facility.

Howard Industries Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of electrical transmission and distribution equipment, is facing $53,040 in penalties after a workplace fatality. The company reportedly failed to protect its workers from struck-by and fall hazards.

The employee was performing a leak test on a transformer when a drive chain supporting the equipment failed.

After an inspection by the Occupational Safety and Health Organisation (OSHA), it was determined that the company failed to ensure employees did the following: use appropriate drive and safety chains; properly inspect, use, and maintain the chains; conduct periodic inspection of the energy control procedures; ensure that procedures for using the leak test device explained how to isolate or control the release of hazardous energy; and provide fall protection.

Regularly inspecting equipment, training employees on the hazards they are exposed to, and using proper precautions are all crucial aspects to keeping employees safe, explained OSHA Jackson Area Director Courtney Bohannon.

Source: OHS Online

Photo (for illustrative purposes): Hard Hat Area Sign / Chris Waits / Flickr / CC BY 2.0