Pennsylvania Employer Sued; Worker Loses 3 Fingers
On July 11, 2014, a worker at Lloyd Industries’ Montgomeryville (Pa.) plant suffered the amputation of three fingers after a machine without safety guards crushed his hand. The company, a leading manufacturer of fire dampers and HVAC products, fired him immediately after the incident. Four months later, OSHA received a safety complaint from the injured employee and the agency opened an inspection. On Nov. 18, 2014, five days after it began, company owner William P. Lloyd fired a worker he suspected to be a “rat” who had assisted the injured employee by providing him with pictures of the unguarded machine. In fact, the employee had taken photographs of the unguarded machine that caused the amputation, other areas of the shop and of employees operating unguarded machines. He shared those …
Californian Finds Fraud Case an Expensive Matter
For one Californian, his time allegedly running a fraud scam is over. California Department of Insurance investigators recently arrested Mitchell Lee King, 53, for alleged healthcare disability fraud and charged him with 19 felony counts including grand theft, forgery, filing a false claim and providing a material misstatement. Investigators allege King received more than $20,000 not owed to him. “Putting a stop to health insurance fraud is vital to the well-being of California’s economy,” said Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “Every successful case is a win for consumers who ultimately end up paying for fraud when the losses are passed along though higher premiums.” Over the course of four years, King filed disability claims with his insurer stating he was not working. Forged Physician’s …
Manitoba WCB Highlights Grant Workplace Safety Winners
The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) announced the recipients of eight grants in support of projects that will help keep Manitoba (Canada) workers safe and recover from workplace injuries. The funding is part of the WCB’s Research and Workplace Innovation Program (RWIP). This year’s initiatives range from injury prevention projects, to scientific research projects, and health and safety training for newcomers to Manitoba’s workforce. “The Research and Workplace Innovation Program signifies our commitment to ensuring healthier and safer Manitoba workplaces now and into the future,” said WCB President and CEO Winston Maharaj. “By funding scientific research we are expanding our knowledge of workplace injuries, illness and diseases.” The RWIP makes available $1 million each year to fund high-quality scientific …
Washington State L&I Cites Business After Worker’s Death
The death of an employee at one business in the Pacific Northwest has meant significant ramifications for one business owner. The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) has cited an Everett company for multiple safety violations related to the death of a worker last July. Nineteen-year-old Bradley Hogue was killed by a rotating auger while working inside the hopper of a bark-blower truck at a Duvall home. Pacific Topsoils has been cited for two willful and 14 serious violations, with penalties totaling $199,000. The employer has also been identified as a severe violator and will be subject to follow-up inspections to determine if the conditions still exist in the future. “The loss of this young man’s life is a tragedy that could have …