A California industrial worker was recently killed in a metal forging and tool-manufacturing plant in Berkeley, California, when he was struck in the back of the head by a section of a metal grinding wheel. Reportedly, paramedics were called to the scene of the industrial accident, but sadly, the victim did not survive.
According to a California Occupational Safety and Health Administration representative, “Our investigation will look at the site and the equipment the individual was working with and do an inspection of it. We’ll interview other employees in regards to training and maintenance issues, we’ll talk to the employer about any safety measure that they should have in place. We also want to look at the equipment itself.”
It appears that through conducting the investigation, OSHA is aiming to change training and maintenance to prevent future injury and death.
While it is positive that OSHA is seeking to prevent accidents like this from occurring in the future, this does little by way of bring the victim back to the victim’s family. It is entirely possible that this man was the primary income of his household. His family will now not only have to deal with the pain of losing a loved one and funeral expenses, but the family will have to accommodate for lost wages as well.
Accordingly, and contingent upon the outcome of the investigation, the family could be entitled to compensation for their losses. Hopefully, compensation will help the family on the road of grief and closure in this tragic accident.
Source: Mercury News, “San Pablo man killed in industrial accident at Berkeley tool plant,” Doug Oakley, Mar. 16, 2012