Worker Fatalities
Workplace health and safety is not an issue to be taken for granted. If just one worker suffers an injury or death on the job, that's one worker too many. But the most recent data available shows that 5,702 fatal injuries were recorded in 2005, not to mention the fact that 37 coal miners have died so far in 2006 among other industry workers.
While there are obviously laws in place that protect workers, unions make sure those laws are enforced, and more importantly, negotiate stricter standards of workplace protections and appropriate safety training in contracts. Too often, employers place bottom-line profits ahead of workers' health and safety. If you have health and safety concerns at your job and are a UFCW member, contact your shop steward or your local union. You may also contact the UFCW Occupational Safety and Health Office.
Below are two examples of tragic deaths that should have never happened, but will always be remembered.
Imperial Foods Chicken Plant
This year marks the 15th anniversary of tragic deaths of 25 workers and 50 more who were injured at the Imperial Foods Chicken Plant in Hamlet, North Carolina, after being trapped in a burning chicken factory.
Factory owners had locked the doors from the outside to guard against theft, but instead trapped about 200 employees inside when a hydraulic line spilled flammable liquid onto a hot fryer.
State investigators called the Imperial Foods Chicken Plant a "death trap." Eighty safety law violations were found including, no sprinklers, no fire alarm or fire safety plan. The business was fined 800,000 dollars, left bankrupt and the owner spent four years in prison.
As a result of the tragedy, North Carolina revamped their health and safety inspection program, from one of the worst to one of the best in the country. Unfortunately, the fire did not prompt national reform in safety and health law.
Alvey Box Conveyor System
In 1999, a worker was killed on an Alvey box conveyor system when his foot tripped a light sensor causing a computer controlled robotic platform to come down from above, crushing his skull. Alvey systems are used in warehouses, meat and poultry plants, and food processing facilities. An investigation conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) determined that the death occurred because the Alvey was not properly locked out.
A possibility exists that there are improper and possibly deadly, lockout programs regarding these Alvey systems. NIOSH and OSHA recommend the following when maintaining an Alvey system:
- Lockout and tagout power to the conveyor spur, the corresponding carousel, and the inserter/extractor, prior to preforming maintenance on any part of the system.
- De-energize the carousel and the inserter/extractor prior to performing maintenance on any part of the system. The inserter/extractor consists of a robotic platform with must be lowered to the ground (de-energized) prior to maintenance work being performed.
 |
 |
