OSHA launched an investigation into the death of an electrician at a Tavares road sign and traffic light company, which sparked a proposed $237,566 workplace safety fine. The Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that United Signs and Signals committed four safety violations. Two classified as willful-serious when allowing an electrician to enter trenches on a job site to splice wires that ran electricity to the streetlights. The electrician died after touching the live wires that United Signs and Signals failed to de-energize beforehand.
Types of OSHA Violations
According to the Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA has four different types of violations these are:
Willful: A willful violation is described as a deliberate violation where the employer knowingly ignored standards disregarding employee safety.
Serious: A serious violation is a workplace danger that could result in injury or death. Unless the threat was unknown by the employer or if the employer would have no way of knowing of the threat.
Repeated: A violation where there is a history of committing that same or other similar violations.
Other-than-serious: A violation that directly relates to the health and safety of employees but is not classified as a serious violation.
Top 5 Common OSHA Violations
Here are the top five most cited OSHA violations
- Fall protection
- Hazard communication
- Respiratory protection
- General scaffolding requirements
- Ladder safety
Worker Fatalities
In 2019, OSHA recorded 5,333 deaths while on the job, around 15 deaths a day. Around 100 deaths per week, with around 20% of these deaths in the construction industry alone.
An investigation by the departments of labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration into the death of an electrician at a Tavares road sign and traffic light company found that United Signs and Signals committed four safety violations. OSHA stated that the company’s willful ignorance of employee health and safety resulted in the death of a 44-year-old electrician. If you or a loved one is the victim of a work related injury due to OSHA violations committed by your employer, you should seek the help of our qualified workers’ compensation attorneys at Stockton Workers’ Compensation P.C. Our team of experienced attorneys will handle your case with swift and ease to deliver you the compensation you rightfully deserve. Call or visit our website today to schedule your free consultation.
