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In New Hampshire, Worker Lost His Foot In Accident

CONCORD, N.H. -- A Goffstown, N.H., landscaping firm faces a total of $82,500 in fines from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after one of its workers lost his foot in a March 24 accident.

An employee of Landscape Support Services Inc. was cleaning the interior of a trailer when his foot became caught in a moving conveyor used to unload material from the truck. OSHA's inspection found that the conveyor had not been shut down and its power source locked out before the employees started cleaning.

"The conveyor should not have been operating while employees worked inside the trailer," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's New Hampshire area director. "The requirements that the conveyor be shut down and its power source locked out are designed to prevent just this type of accident, serious injury or worse."

OSHA issued to Landscape Support Services Inc. two willful citations carrying $75,000 in fines for failing to shut down the conveyor and for not having lockout hardware available. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.

The company was also issued six serious citations with $7,500 in proposed penalties for lack of specific lockout/tagout procedures, lack of employee training and annual lockout/tagout audits; failure to train employees to operate powered industrial trucks safely; failure to evaluate and identify confined spaces and post warnings; and having fall hazards of more than 8 feet from unguarded work areas.

OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm are likely to result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

If you or your loved one have been in an accident that involved a serious injury, know your legal rights by contacting the nearest Accident Attorney.

Contact an Accident Attorney Now!