U.S. Department of Labor Cites Skinner Tank Company After Employee’s Fatal Fall at St. Joseph, Missouri, Worksite

ST. JOSEPH, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Skinner Tank Company – based in Yale, Oklahoma – for lack of fall protection after an employee constructing a storage tank suffered fatal injuries in a 50-foot fall at a Missouri agricultural facility in October 2019. The company faces $415,204 in penalties for two willful and 11 serious safety violations, and has been placed in OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program.

OSHA alleges that the company violated federal fall protection standards by allowing employees to work at heights over 25 feet above ground without sufficient fall protection, permitting employees to use damaged fall protection equipment and failing to train employees on fall protection hazards and safety precautions.

OSHA also cited Skinner Tank Company for multiple violations of safe crane operation standards, including failing to train operators and signalers, improper rigging of hoisted materials, failing to have a competent person inspect crane operations and equipment, and exposing employees to hazards from working beneath crane loads.

“Falls are consistently one of OSHA’s most cited hazards and they can be prevented by complying with training requirements and using appropriate fall protection,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt.

OSHA’s Stop Falls webpage provides information on protecting employees from fall hazards. The agency’s crane safety webpage provides information on assessing hazards associated with crane operations.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the 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.                                            

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 help 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 https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.