OSHA Sanctions Employer After Georgia Workers Killed In Electrocution Accident
In October of 2022, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited East Coast Crawl LLC—a water damage restoration company with a main headquarters in Durham, North Carolina—for workplace safety failures in relation to a fatal 2022 accident that killed a Georgia worker. Within this article, our Decatur workers’ compensation attorney provides an overview of the enforcement action from OSHA and explains the risk of work-related electrocutions.
Technician Suffered Fatal Electrocution After Company Failed to De-Energize Power Lines
In April of 2022, a 32-year-old employee of East Coast Crawl LLC was performing technical work at a job site in Savannah, Georgia. The man was digging a shallow drainage ditch under a home as part of a restoration project. Tragically, he came into contact with an active electrical line and suffered fatal electrocution injuries.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched a comprehensive investigation of the deadly workplace accident. The federal agency determined that East Coast Crawl LLC improperly failed to “de-energize” the electrical line before this employee started his work. The company has been issued $31,284 in proposed penalties for the work safety violation.
Electrocutions are a Serious Workplace Safety Risk
Electrical safety in the workplace is paramount. Workers who work on or around live electrical lines must be properly protected. An electrocution can lead to severe injuries, and potentially even death. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), electrocutions are actually one of the leading causes of death in the workplace fatalities nationwide. There are approximately 200 to 250 deadly workplace electrocutions reported in the United States each year.
For the most part, these are fundamentally preventable workplace tragedies. There are a variety of ways to prevent electrocutions in the workplace. Employers should conduct a hazard assessment to determine where electrical hazards exist. Workers should be properly trained in electrical safety, and personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when working on or around active (or potentially active) electrical wiring and electrical equipment.
Any Employee Who Sustained an Electrical Injury Can File for Workers’ Comp
In Georgia, electrical injuries, including electrocutions, are covered by workers’ compensation. If you or your loved one required medical treatment for a job-related electrocution, it is imperative that you know your rights and responsibilities. Our Decatur, GA workers’ comp lawyers help injured workers and their loved ones navigate the complexities of the state’s legal claims process. You need compensation to cover medical costs, make up for lost wages, and to support yourself and your family.
Get Help From Our Decatur, GA Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Today
At O’Connell Law Firm, our Decatur workers’ compensation attorneys are skilled, justice-driven advocates for injured workers. If you or your loved one was electrocuted on the job, we are more than ready to help. Give us a phone call now or contact us online to schedule your free initial appointment. From our legal office in Decatur, we advocate for the rights of injured workers throughout DeKalb County, including in Brookhaven, Stonecrest, Redan, and Chamblee.
Source:
osha.gov/news/newsreleases/region4/10122022
