Here's something you might be interested in.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is seeking nearly $112,000 in fines and penalties against EDCO Waste and Recycling Services over “alleged willful and accident-related violations” in connection with an incident last December at EDCO’s Lemon Grove facility.
The accident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve 2011, involved the injury of a worker who was standing on a “packer” inside a trash truck being repaired. While installing a hydraulic cylinder that powers the packer, compacting trash inside the truck, the worker fell between the packer and an inside wall of the truck, where he was crushed by the device. Although he survived, the Division says he suffered “severe” injuries.
EDCO was already on “full notice” from the Division for program deficiencies, and a second, similar incident occurred at the same facility in October of 2011. EDCO has appealed citations linked to both incidents.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health is seeking nearly $112,000 in fines and penalties against EDCO Waste and Recycling Services over “alleged willful and accident-related violations” in connection with an incident last December at EDCO’s Lemon Grove facility.
The accident, which occurred on New Year’s Eve 2011, involved the injury of a worker who was standing on a “packer” inside a trash truck being repaired. While installing a hydraulic cylinder that powers the packer, compacting trash inside the truck, the worker fell between the packer and an inside wall of the truck, where he was crushed by the device. Although he survived, the Division says he suffered “severe” injuries.
EDCO was already on “full notice” from the Division for program deficiencies, and a second, similar incident occurred at the same facility in October of 2011. EDCO has appealed citations linked to both incidents.
Of course they'll appeal. But as a captive customer of EDCO, I always wonder why those trucks have to look so scroungy, have to be so noisy, and why there's so much trash along Highway 78, where they travel to dump their loads. EDCO could do a better job on all fronts, including safety, but then if that were done, the trash-hauling business would not be so profitable, would it? So, this couldn't happen to a more deserving company.
The cost of the fines is probably less than the cost of safety improvements.