The US Department of Labor and Mass Bay Electrical Corporation have reached a settlement agreement in a case involving the deaths of two Mass Bay employees in 2014. John Loughran and Joseph Boyd III were working on a platform that was raised on a crane when the crane toppled, killing both men. The MA electrical contractor was cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for multiple violations, including improper employee training. Contact a Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Today.
Beyond compensating the victims’ families for their losses, the settlement seeks to prevent future injuries and fatalities by implementing corrective action and setting up a training fund in memory of the victims. In addition to improper employee training, OSHA also cited Mass Bay for failing to adhere to the crane manufacturer’s safety procedures. “The deaths of Joseph Boyd III and John Loughran should never have occurred. Effective and ongoing training of employees and adherence to the clear safety requirements set forth by the equipment’s manufacturer are critical in preventing fatalities like these from happening again. This settlement requires Mass Bay Electrical Corp. to take stringent, detailed, continual and effective corrective action,” said the New England Regional administrator for OSHA, Kim Stille.
Settlement Establishes Scholarship Fund in Victims’ Names
The settlement provides court-enforced rules that Mass Bay must follow and establishes a scholarship fund for employee training. Both of these unique stipulations aim to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future. Mass Bay is required to provide at least $3,000 in contributions to the scholarship fund, which will be set up in both victims’ names, every year for the next 10 years and $5,000 per year in the following decade. As both men were members of the Local 104 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the fund will be administered with the IBEW’s cooperation.
Mass Bay Must Provide Extensive Training Programs to Employees
As part of the settlement, Mass Bay is also required to provide thorough training and certification programs to its employees, undergo regular safety audits, establish an in-house safety committee, and notify OSHA about any work utility projects. Due to Mass Bay’s failure to comply with regulations set forth by OSHA and the crane’s manufacturer, the electrical contractor will pay OSHA a penalty of $136,000.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Workers’ Compensation Attorneys Serving All of Massachusetts
If you have been injured in any type of work-related accident, it is in your best interest to consult with a worker’s compensation lawyer as soon as possible. At Altman & Altman, LLP, we can help you determine the best legal strategy for your unique circumstances. These cases can drag on needlessly, and often result in inadequate benefits payments due to incorrect or insufficient information on applications. Even when the benefits’ application is filled out correctly and in its entirety, the worker may still lose out on additional compensation for various reasons. If negligence played a role in the worker’s injuries, a personal injury lawsuit may provide compensation above and beyond workers’ comp benefits. Altman & Altman, LLP has been protecting the rights of the Massachusetts workers for over 50 years. We will make sure you understand your rights and options before moving forward. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case.