Company spokesman Adam Dumes said OSHA issued incorrect and unfounded citations for the Oct. 16, 2014, accident that claimed Geoffrey Garnett of Butler County.
“We strongly dispute the citations but are continuing to cooperate with OSHA to bring about the withdrawal of the citations,” Dumes stated.
According to the Cohen statement, safety is the core value of the company, which has a longstanding and recognized commitment to the health and safety of employees.
“We remain deeply saddened by this tragic loss. We consider all employees of the Cohen companies to be part of the Cohen family,” he said.
Prior to the accident, Cohen has never had a citation from the OSHA.
Metal Shredders had one serious citation in July 2013 for not having grounded outlets and not having a mid-guard rail on a catwalk. The company was fined $7,650, but settled for a $2,600 fine, according to OSHA.
FIRST REPORT
Metal Shredders was cited for multiple safety violations stemming from the October electrocution death of a 33-year-old welder.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Cincinnati Area Office found that Metal Shredders failed to protect welder Geoffrey S. Garnett from an energized electrical line while he was cutting a metal roof off an industrial transformer substation at the facility on Oct. 16, according to a press release issued today.
Garnett reportedly attempted to enter the substation by climbing over a concrete wall and fence on the side of the transformer substation, and his foot touched the electrical line, which was still energized, and he was electrocuted.
OSHA issued the company one willful and eight serious safety violations involving electrical safe work practices, and has proposed penalties of $115,000. Additionally, the federal agency issued Cohen Brothers, Metal Shredders’ parent company, with three serious safety violations for failing to train employees in electrical safe work practices. They’ve proposed penalties of $21,000 for that violation.
“This was a tragic death that could have been prevented by following basic safety practices for working with high voltage transmission lines,” said Ken Montgomery, OSHA Area Director in Cincinnati. “Employers who work with high voltage electricity must train workers in recognizing hazards and proper procedures to de-energize lines, and ensure the working environment is safe. No workers should lose their life on the job.”