North Carolina agency investigates fatal accident at plant

Employers are charged with ensuring its employees aren’t subjected to unsafe working environments. This means not only training employees on the working culture but also ensuring that all potential hazards are warded off by following correct safety procedures. Where an industrial accident does take place, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration may launch an investigation into the work accident.

In one recent incident, North Carolina’s division of Occupational Safety and Health has launched an investigation into an accident at a plant in North Carolina that killed one employee. Emergency workers were called to the site of the accident shortly after midnight but when they arrived, the employee had already died of a crushed skull. The North Carolina division of Occupational Safety and Health has been asked to come and investigate the death.

According to a spokeswoman for the Labor Department, an investigation is normal procedure and may end up taking many months. During the investigation, the agency will determine if any safety violations led to the worker’s death. If an investigation into a work accident determines that the company did not follow regulations, it is possible they fine the company and order them to rectify the problem.

It is not normal procedure for workers to die while trying to earn an honest living. When this happens and if it is concluded that the employer acted negligently in creating a safe working environment, OSHA can fine the company. In addition to this, the family members of the deceased can file a claim for workers’ compensation on behalf of the employee. The compensation received can help ease financial burdens associated with the death of a loved one.

Source: Daily Reporter, “Employee killed in accident at Gaston County plant,” July 16, 2014