OSHA Fines Dexter Fortson $85K in Electrocution Fatality
By: William Thornton
Source: al.com (TNS)
Federal investigators say an Alabama contractor could have done more to prevent the death of a foreman back in June during storm recovery efforts in Tuscaloosa County.
As a result, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has proposed $84,789 in penalties to Dexter Fortson Associates of Bessemer.
The fines, which can be contested, stem from an incident on the afternoon of June 19 in Coaling. According to OSHA, a 44-year-old employee died when he came into contact with an energized power line while elevated in a bucket truck to replace a broken switch. The employee had burns to his face, arms, and other parts of his body and died at the scene.
According to investigators, the victim was the foreman of a three-person crew tasked with restoring distribution power to natural gas pumps.
“Electrical work is inherently dangerous, and industry employers must ensure basic safety standards are met to prevent a needless tragedy like this,” OSHA Birmingham Area Director Joel Batiz said. “Now family, friends and co-workers are left to grieve this terrible loss.”
OSHA investigators determined the company exposed employees to electrical hazards by allowing employees to use expired electrical protective equipment, and did not adequately supervise employees or conduct annual inspections.
In addition, the company didn’t provide adequate briefings on job hazards, work procedures involved, special precautions, energy-source controls and what personal protective equipment was required, OSHA said.
Among other findings, investigators said the company allowed workers to work on a broken cutout switch without ensuring that all equipment was properly de-energized, as required by safety regulations.
Attempts to contact Dexter Fortson for comment were not immediately successful.
The company has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings.
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