Worker crushed to death by large steel pipe; Calif. DOSH to probe incident

2010-03-20 06:03:34 (GMT) (JusticeNewsFlash.com - Employment Law, Justice News Flash)

Industrial worker crushed by large steel pipe died of severe injuries.

Legal News for California Employment Attorneys. An on-the-job accident left an industrial worker fatally injured.

California employment lawyer alerts- Worker suffered fatal injuries in accident; Calif. DOSH to investigate.

Le Grand, CA—An industrial accident in Merced County resulted in the death of a 30-year-old worker on Thursday, March 18, 2010. The fatal workplace accident occurred in the 7000 block of White Rock Road at approximately 11 a.m., according to information provided by the MercedSunStar.com.

Merced County Sheriff’s Department authorities reported a 30-year-old employee, identified as Benjamin Novoa of Galt California, was unloading steel pipes from a flatbed rig by using straps just prior to the fatal incident. A piece of equipment used to keep the residual pipes lodged in place seemingly broke or was dislodged, subsequently causing one of the large steel pipes to push Novoa off the back of the semi-truck. The pipe then allegedly fell from the bed of the truck and rolled over the worker. Novoa apparently stood up after the accident but was urged to lie back down by his fellow employees.

Emergency medical services (EMS) personnel responded to White Rock Road, where a drilling operation was initially in the works, to transport the injured worker to an area hospital for treatment. However, Novoa’s severe injuries unfortunately proved fatal at the scene. Officials from the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) were expected to conduct an investigation into the fatal on-the-job episode.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for California, 404 workers suffered fatal occupational injuries, 63 of which were prompted by hazardous contact with work-related objects or equipment during the year 2008.

Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for California Employment Lawyers.