Fines for deadly Worth County windfarm accident
A North Dakota based construction company is facing three proposed penalties following a deadly Iowa wind farm accident last October.
A man was struck by a fork lift as he worked on the Barton Windmill Project, just North of Grafton in Worth County.
The Worth County Sheriff’s Office determined a fork lift ran over an employee of Wanzek Construction of Fargo, North Dakota.
Dick Hamilton, 46 of Tishmingo, Oklahoma was hit when the driver of an all terrain, Caterpillar fork lift didn’t see him on October 9.
Hamilton died later from his injuries at a local hospital.
The Iowa Division of Labor Services is issuing 3 citations to Wanzek for what are termed as serious violations.
IOSHA claims Wanzek failed to ensure each industrial truck operator had successfully completed training, “the employer did not ensure the all terrain fork truck operators were competent and capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards.”
IOSHA claims Wanzek “did not instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations. Had the employer provided adequate training.. the employees would not have been exposed to these conditions that existed at the site.”
IOSHA claims Wanzek “did not ensure that all terrain fork trucks were operated in a safe manner regarding safe guarding of pedestrians, others standing nearby operating equipment, traffic regulations and safe distances. An employee was struck by an all terrain fork lift, traveling with its forks elevated. A fatality occurred.”
IOSHA is proposing to fine Wanzek $4,000 for each of the 3 violations, or a total of $12,000.
There is no word on whether the Wanzek Construction which lists an inspection address in Kensett, Iowa will seek a hearing with IOSHA to discuss the citations.
Based upon information from Barton’s web site, the project featuring nearly 150 windmills is supposed to be completed by the end of the year.
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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