County Materials Corp. cited for serious violations by US Labor Department's OSHA after worker's foot severed at an Elderon, Wis., job site

ELDERON, Wis. — County Materials Corp., which manufactures precast concrete products, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 18 serious safety violations. The citations arose after a truck driver had his foot severed and femur crushed at an Elderon job site on Sept. 19, 2013. OSHA's investigation determined the incident occurred when a cable on a trolley boom crane broke, pinning the driver against a concrete riser. Many of the violations involved OSHA's standards on cranes and derricks in construction.

"Struck-by hazards are one of the leading causes of injuries for construction and transportation workers. Each day, County Materials has a responsibility to train and protect its workers from hazards that they will encounter," said Robert Bonack, OSHA's area director in Appleton. "Workers have a right to a safe workplace — one that is free from hazards that can cause serious injury."

Eighteen serious safety citations involve failing to establish safe work practices when placing precast concrete material; inspect trolley boom cranes and wire ropes; equip trolley boom cranes with a crane level indicator, boom angle or radius indicator; ensure materials are rigged by a qualified rigger; and ensure employees are trained in the safe operation of trolley boom cranes to prevent inadvertent disconnection of the load. The company was also cited for placing employees close to suspended loads.

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

OSHA has proposed fines of $56,700. The Plover-based company employs approximately 1,250 workers at multiple Wisconsin locations. OSHA has inspected County Materials eight times since 2001 and has issued multiple citations.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Appleton Area Office at (920) 734-4521.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.