Tag Archives: investigation

Measures needed to reduce workplace accidents

Companies in Kansas and every other state are supposed to value their employees so highly that they ensure their safety on the job. Employees are assets for any organization, and if they are injured in the workplace, the company loses.

Unfortunately, workplace accidents have now reached such high levels in some industries, such as oil and gas drilling, that regional news organizations are beginning to investigate not only how and why these industries are failing but also why government at all levels is failing to enforce the very standards they established.

Who is responsible for these accidents? According to one recent investigation, the federal government has failed to implement new safety standards and procedures for modern onshore drilling processes. As a result, the accident rate has increased substantially and the number of workers who are dying continues to increase.

According to the investigation, there were 60 percent more accidents in onshore oil and gas workplaces in 2012 than in 2011. The newspaper reported that 2012 saw 79 people losing limbs, 92 workers suffering burns, 82 people crushed and 675 people suffering broken bones in onshore occupations. By comparison, offshore operations have become far safer the last few years, partly because federal regulations were enacted in response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster that killed 11 workers.

Employers are responsible for protecting their employees. Although many workplace accidents are minor, major accidents can lead to serious injuries and deaths. Any employee who thinks an employer is at fault for an accident injury should be sure to get the best information on the options to seek compensation that can cover medical bills and lost wages.

Source: Minneapolis StarTribune, “Houston Chronicle examination of Texas oil field safety finds failures, deaths, injury,” Feb. 23, 2014

Plant collapse results in two dead, more injured

Kansas residents likely understand the hazardous conditions of certain work environments. Falling debris and building collapses are everyday risks for some employees. Still, most workplace accidents are completely unexpected, even if the danger is known and every safety precaution is duly taken. Most employers are required to secure their workplaces to meet certain OSHA regulations; similarly, most employees are expected to take certain safety precautions to protect against any potential accidents. Accidents can still happen, though, and when a worker is injured or families members are lost in a work-related accident, they may be wonder what options for recovery are available.

An accident recently occurred at a nutrition plant located just north of Kansas in Nebraska. Tragically, two workers were killed and 10 injured as the result of the nutrition plant’s collapse. Evidence points to an explosion being the likely cause of the collapse. Panels appear to have been blown off of the building. This is based on mere photographic evidence, however, and experts anticipate that the investigation will take up to six months.

The plant had previously undergone investigation by OSHA and was cited for six violations. These violations were unrelated to the building’s structure, however. An assessor that inspected the building considered it to be of average quality and in good condition. Based on these findings and the photographic evidence, experts have come to the conclusion that a dust explosion is a possible explanation for the collapse. Contrary to the experts’ opinions, some of the surviving victims in the collapse did not believe an explosion caused the collapse, as they did not hear or see any evidence of a blast.

Even if a company is not found guilty of violating any safety requirements — and are thus not liable for the damages — workers and the families of victims can still pursue workers’ compensation for the financial difficulties they have suffered. Oftentimes, medical expenses and lost wages serve to further inflict suffering on victims and their families, making it prudent to seek out legal help in planning the best course of action to compensation and fair recovery.

Source: Omaha.com, “Evidence suggests blast caused International Nutrition accident,” Barbara Soderlin and Henry J. Cordes, Jan. 27, 2014

Tyson Foods plant in Kansas fined by government agency

Maintaining a safe working environment should be a goal of all employers in the state of Kansas. Unfortunately, some companies fail to meet this goal, prompting action by government agencies.

A Tyson Foods plant in Kansas is facing a serious fine of up to $147,000 due to a series of safe workplace violations, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor. The fine came after an inspection by the agency revealed the plant has violated regulations seven times over the past 10 years, including some recent willful violations.

In addition, the inspection revealed that workers were not properly trained on lockout procedures to prevent the inadvertent operation of machinery, and the plant had removed guardrails, subjecting employees to the possibility of amputation. One man had his arm cut off at the elbow when his garments became caught in a machine while at work, pulling his arm into moving gears. Approximately 150 people work at the plant and may have been put at risk of harm.

OSHA is a government agency tasked with ensuring that workplaces meet a set of safety standards. Not only are workers who are exposed to potential workplace hazards entitled to precautions such as guardrails and protective clothing, but they are also entitled to be trained on how to avoid becoming hurt in a workplace accident. They can also request OSHA to inspect their workplace, which can be made confidentially. Workers cannot face retaliation or discrimination for making such a request.

Employers must provide workers with a safe workplace. By holding employers accountable through an OSHA investigation, employees can make sure their rights are upheld and that they are not subject to an unsafe working environment.

Source: The Kansas City Star, “OSHA cites Kansas Tyson Foods plant for violations, including one that led to severed hand,” Dec. 18

Mill worker killed in tragic accident

Kansas residents are hard workers. They know the challenges of a hard day’s work as well as the hazards of day-to-day life in a difficult working environment. Some workers risk their lives every day to get their jobs done, knowing full well that accidents and tragedies could occur at any time. Some Kansas residents may not be aware, however, of the options available for someone who is hurt while performing their duties in their work environment, as well as for the families of loved ones left to suffer with the tragedy of losing a loved one at work.

A man suffered fatal injuries at a mill that had employed him for more than three years. In a tragic turn of events, the man was called in to work on his day off. In the afternoon, while finishing his shift, the man was loading an extractor — a machine that dries fabric. The machine spins rapidly to dry the fabric and the man was pulled into the rapidly spinning machine. Family members are reportedly demanding answers for what caused the accident. The cause is currently under investigation.

Employees are protected by certain rights — rights that come into play when they anyone is involved in workplace accidents. Wage benefits and medical benefits may be owed to victims and families of victims who have been injured or killed on the job. This usually comes in the form of workers’ compensation, which offers a remedy for injured workers. Sometimes victims may also choose to pursue a product liability claim if the injury or death was caused by a faulty product or manufacturing error. There are options for workers and their families, and it is prudent for anyone in these situations to learn of these options and plan accordingly.

Source: Fox 8, “Randleman man dies in workplace accident,” Stephanie Ando, Dec. 16, 2013

Man suffers fatal injuries after quarry accident in Kansas

Tragedies that occur on the job involve unique laws. Any injury that is considered work related offers the potential for employees to claim benefits. In addition, any fatality that occurs on the job allows loved ones to apply for similar benefits. Though nothing can undo the physical and mental damages inflicted on victims and their families, compensation can help alleviate some of the financial strain.

A man passed away recently due to the fatal injuries he suffered while on the job. As a quarry worker in Kansas, the 63-year-old man was working for a local company helping to handle explosives being used to detonate rocks. Tragically, the man stood too near to the detonation area when a large limestone rock, along with other smaller rocks, struck him following the blast. After being discovered by fellow employees, emergency responders rushed to the scene where they found the man to be unresponsive. They pronounced him as dead. The investigation is ongoing, but a preliminary investigation is claiming that the fatality was the result of a work-related accident.

Fatalities resulting from workplace accidents are tragic affairs and can cause a victim’s loved ones great pain and suffering. As if this mental anguish was not painful enough, the families of victims often find themselves having to suffer costs from medical expenses, transportation, lost wages and other expenses.

Thankfully, the loved ones of victims have a chance to be compensated for their loss. When it comes to workers’ compensation, there are many laws involved, some of them complex. However, there are legal professionals available to help guide loved ones and victims through this process.

Source: The Topeka Capital-Journal, “Manhattan man killed in quarry blast,” Phil Anderson, Dec. 5, 2013

Kansas rig accident takes worker’s life, injures another

This blog is meant to shed light on some of the issues and obstacles Kansas workers and their families have to confront after a work-related accident. Injuries arising out of employment can lead to a workers’ compensation claim, but sometimes insurance companies and employers go to great lengths to reduce or deny compensation payments when injured workers need them most. In other cases, a party who isn’t your co-worker or employer may be responsible for the accident, or maybe a defective product caused an injury.

These issues may have to be considered in the investigation of a tragic drilling-site accident that took the life of one worker and sent another to a Wichita hospital.

According to the sheriff’s department in Trego County, a rig worker was severely injured when he was struck by a falling derrick basket. His injuries were so severe that he died at the scene.

The worker who was in the basket when it fell was also hurt, though the nature of his injuries was not reported. He had to be airlifted to a hospital for treatment.

As is routine after a fatal workplace accident, investigators from the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration were called to the scene. An OSHA spokesperson indicated that D & S Casing, based in Kansas, was involved in the investigation, but a news report does not clarify which company or companies may have employed the workers.

It is known, however, that the Oklahoma company Horizontal Well Drillers is in charge of maintaining the rig.

The man who survived the accident and the family of the man who died may be entitled to compensation in one form or another.

If Kansas residents would like to learn more about what to do after a work-related injury or death, our Kansas City work accident pages are there to help.

Source: Upstream, “One worker was killed and another injured at a drilling site in Trego County, north-west Kansas, according to reports,” Luke Johnson, June 27, 2013