VIRGINIA — The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s OSHA Compliance fined a Rosemount trucking company $621,600 after a worker died while working in a tanker trailer at a facility in Virginia in March.
In July, the state agency issued 10 serious citations to Wayne Transports for violations of the confined space standard. An inspection found the company did not adequately protect employees from hazards.
A news release from the state reported the company did not "prevent unauthorized entry; identify and evaluate the hazards prior to entry; implement the means, procedures and practices necessary for safe operations; test conditions inside prior to employee entry; provide at least one attendant outside during entry operations; develop and implement a system for the preparation, issuance, use and cancellation of entry permits for entries conducted by employees; provide adequate training for employees conducting entries; certify the required training for employees was completed prior to entry; evaluate the rescue capabilities of the local emergency services prior to employee entries; or ensure employees wore adequate retrieval systems or other methods to facilitate non-entry rescue of entrants."
In the release, Labor Department Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach said work processes must be designed with the goal of eliminating workplace injuries and illnesses, and workers must be properly trained.
"Before work is performed in a confined space, employers must evaluate the elements of that space and ensure they have a comprehensive plan to protect their employees from potential hazards," she stated.
Wayne Transports was also issued citations for a lack of safety datasheets for chemicals in the truck tanker trailers and for not having a joint labor-management safety committee.
According to the state, Wayne Transports plans to contest the citations.
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