OSHA cites Illinois manufacturer after electrician’s first day ends tragically when mobile trailer falls, fatally crushes him

MONEE, Ill. – The absence of safety pins in two hydraulic leg stands and the failure to use stationary jacks allowed a mobile medical trailer to fall and fatally crush a 58-year-old electrician on his first day working on the job for an Illinois manufacturer of custom trailers and specialty vehicles.

On Oct. 17, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Advanced Mobility by Kentucky Trailer, based in Monee, for one serious safety violation, for violating OSHA’s general duty clause, after its investigation of the July 5, 2016, fatality.

Investigators determined another worker inadvertently cut a hydraulic line that allowed the trailer to fall on the electrician as he worked beneath it. They found the company failed to ensure the use of safety pins on the trailer’s front two hydraulic leg stands, and the use of rear stationary jacks to prevent the trailer from falling.

“I can’t imagine the incredible loss this man’s family and friends felt when his first day on the job ended tragically,” said Kathy Webb, OSHA’s area director in Calumet City. “Advanced Mobility could have prevented his death by using simple safety devices like safety pins, and jacks and implementing procedures to ensure hydraulic energy was isolated. This employer failed in its responsibility to take all necessary precautions to protect workers on the job.”

The fatal incident in Monee prompted a subsequent inspection in response to a complaint of unsafe working conditions at Advanced Mobility’s University Park facility. After that inspection on July 13, 2016, OSHA cited the company for six serious safety violations for:

• Lacking a lockout/tag out program to isolate energy when working on fixed de-energized electrical equipment or circuits.
• Allowing workers’ exposures to lead.
• Failing to implement engineering controls to prevent lead exposure.
• Not training workers about potential lead exposure, hazardous chemicals in use in the facility or on powered industrial vehicle operation and hazards.

OSHA has proposed the company pay penalties of $58,792. View citations issued here.

Based in Louisville, Kentucky, Advanced Mobility by Kentucky Trailer specializes in mobile medical trailer manufacturing and refurbishing. Its parent company, Kentucky Trailer builds custom trailers and specialty vehicles for the mobile healthcare, television production and broadcast, and banking industries, and for sports and special events.

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 amputations, eye loss, 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 Calumet City Area Office at 708-891-3800.

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.