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Electric shock claims life of employee at plastics manufacturer

On Behalf of | Oct 26, 2015 | Firm News, Workplace Accidents

Employers in Colorado, like those in other states, are obliged by law to protect workers from harm by providing environments that are free of known hazards. There are safety regulations pertaining to every industry and activity, and compliance can avoid incidents of workplace accidents. A manufacturer of plastics in another state is under investigation after a worker recently lost his life when he suffered a deadly electric shock.

No details about the electrocution were provided, but an Occupational Safety and Health Administration spokesperson commented on the importance of providing adequate training to employees. Any employees who work on or around electricity must be made aware of the potential hazards such as shocks, flashes and electrocution. Furthermore, training in safe practices in order to avoid these hazards must be provided.

One of the primary causes of worker injuries in industrial workplaces is the lack of procedures to lock out electric currents before workers perform any electrical maintenance. The OSHA director says it is vital for companies to enforce lockout and tagout procedures to avoid similar incidents of electrocution. It was also reported that the same company had been fined for safety violations on two prior occasions.

Losing a loved one in a fatal on-the-job accident, such as an electric shock, and knowing that it was a preventable accident will naturally leave the surviving family members with many unanswered questions and several financial stumbling blocks. Monetary relief is available for covered dependents in Colorado in the form of workers’ compensation death benefits. While no amount of money can replace a loved one, this compensation may assist with end-of-life expenses, and these benefits may also include some level of compensation for lost wages.

Source: wane.com, “OSHA: Plastics plant worker electrocuted”, Oct. 20, 2015

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