Earlier this year, a man who was working on a tractor trailer at his company headquarters died when he was trapped under his truck and crushed to death. Since then OSHA has been looking in to the man’s death and just this week confirmed that the company is being cited for two serious workplace safety violations and one non-serious violation. The total amount of the fines that the company is being hit with is $2,700.
The company, JRJ Trucking based out of Thomasville, North Carolina, was cited for lack of a hazardous materials policy, not having procedures for securing the safety of the employees while they were working on vehicles, and failing to provide a hazard assessment for employees who wore personnel protection equipment.
Despite the fact that the maximum penalty for each serious safety violation is $7,000, and that a man lost his life due to what OSHA has claimed was an unsafe working environment, the company, JRJ Trucking is getting let off with a slap on the wrist because these are civil, not criminal charges.
“The penalties are in no way designed to make up for loss of life,” said Dolores Quesenberry, director of communications for the N.C. Department of Labor in an email to The-Dispatch.com. “Fines are issued to penalize the offending employer but also to get the attention of other employers with similar work environments.”
A spokesperson for JRJ Trucking said that her company is following all the instructions it has been given by the North Carolina Department of Labor.
“We are doing everything we can to make it right,” the spokeswoman said. “Sure wish we could bring him back.”
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Source: thedispatch
John says
That kind of fine won’t get the attention of anyone. Its a token fine and a perfect example of why their is no bite to some safety rules meant to protect workers. But the real question is weather this trucking company who is lax on safety in the shop is any better in other areas of its operation?
Martee99 says
Don’t worry. I’m sure there are plenty of lawyers willing to step up an file for damages against the company’s insurance carrier.
Steve says
Perhaps the employee broke the company’s policy about working under improperly blocked and braced vehicle. The fines don’t seem to be related to the incident that killed the worker, if the worker did something incredibly stupid… the company should not be forced to subsidize poor or unsafe behavior.
Rob says
When I was logging a tower was pulled over due to it being set up incorrectly. 2 guys lost their lives and the company only got fined $25,000. These fines are ridiculous. There needs to be some serious pain.
Old guy says
That fine is chump change compared to what the lawsuit is going to cost them.
Jay says
Wow! That’s almost as much as a logbook violation!