In a tragic incident that highlights the critical importance of workplace safety, a federal workplace safety investigation has uncovered fatal safety hazards at a timberland and sawmill facility in Arkansas. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that a 39-year-old employee at the sawmill facility suffered fatal injuries in February 2023 while cleaning around and beneath an automated lumber stacking machine. The machine’s hoist table fell on the worker, resulting in a tragic incident.
Sawmill Operator Fails to Adhere to Safety Protocols
Inspectors from OSHA determined that the company had installed the lumber stacking system in July 2022 without implementing any barrier devices to prevent employees from accessing the area beneath the stacker hoist. This lack of safeguards and failure to adhere to established safety protocols led to the catastrophic accident.
As a consequence of these serious safety violations, OSHA has issued citations against the sawmill facility for four serious violations, which include:
- Failing to provide lockout and tagout procedures to prevent a machine from starting and moving during maintenance.
- Not ensuring that guards were in place beneath the stacking system.
- Failing to provide barriers to prevent employees from entering the danger zone.
- Neglecting to install signage warning employees about crushing hazards.
In response to these violations, OSHA has proposed a significant penalty of $218,759.
OSHA Area Director Kia McCullough in Little Rock, Arkansas, expressed grave concern over the recurring safety lapses at the company, stating, “This is not the first time an employee of [the sawmill facility] has died due to the company’s failure to follow established safety requirements for working near automated machinery. This company’s continued disregard for the safety and well-being of its employees is inexcusable and must stop. Ensuring workers’ safety is not optional; it’s the law.”
It’s important to note that this incident is not an isolated case for the sawmill facility. In August 2022, OSHA cited the company following a fatal accident at its other facility when an unguarded sharp chain became activated, resulting in another employee’s death. Additionally, in January 2020, the company was cited after an employee in its facility suffered a thumb amputation due to contact with an unguarded chipper feeder.
The sawmill company based in Arkansas, employs approximately 800 workers across seven locations in the state.
The Result
The company now has 15 business days from the receipt of the citation and penalties to decide whether to comply with the proposed penalties, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
This incident serves as a stark reminder to all businesses, particularly those in industries involving heavy machinery and automation, that the safety and well-being of employees should always be a top priority. Neglecting safety protocols and failing to provide necessary safeguards lead to tragic accidents, severe financial penalties, and damage to a company’s reputation.
Conclusion
Business owners must remain vigilant in their commitment to workplace safety, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and the provision of necessary training and safeguards to protect their employees from potential hazards. Workplace safety is not just a legal requirement but a moral obligation to prevent tragic accidents and save the lives of workers.