Studies suggest that the amount of reported workplace injuries in certain states has slightly increased over the past year. Although companies in Colorado continue to improve safety procedures, accidents may still take place if these are not properly executed. Avoiding all accidents may be challenging, but following protocols may help reduce the risk of a repeat occurrence. Recently, a man suffered a fatal workplace injury at a recycling facility in another state.
The accident took place early in the morning when an employee at the facility became trapped in a baler. He suffered severe injuries in the process and died shortly thereafter. An investigation is underway to determine what may have caused the incident. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration advised that this process will take time, and also noted that it has no record of previous citations for similar accidents against the facility.
Many industries require employees to work with and around equipment that can be hazardous if not handled properly. A baler uses tremendous force to compress materials, and can be dangerous if the operator is not cautious in the process. Accidents involving heavy machinery can have disastrous results, often leading to serious injury, or worse.
Losing a loved one to a fatal workplace injury can present a family with many hardships. Along with the emotional stress of such a loss, end-of-life expenses can cause significant financial burden. When facing a similar situation, it may be advisable to seek relief through the workers’ compensation insurance system. Since this can be complex, families of victims in Colorado often rely upon an experienced attorney for advice on navigating the process.
Source: cleveland.com, “Akron recycling facility employee killed in baler accident“, Evan MacDonald, Feb. 22, 2017