Deadly Forklift Accident Being Investigated By OSHA
A September forklift-related incident in Edmond, OK that claimed the lives of two brothers and injured a third individual is now being investigated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
According to NewsOK.com, a forklift overturned and killed Michael Birney, 56, and Daniel Birney, 54, on Sept. 19 at the Old Towne Lofts. A third man, whose name wasn’t released, suffered a severe arm injury in the incident and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Edmond police spokeswoman Jenny Monroe told NewsOK.com that the three men had been working on an elevated platform moving decking tile when the forklift overturned — but it’s still not clear what caused the forklift to do so.
“Protecting personnel is hands-down the most important rule in every warehouse facility,” says Jennifer Taylor, Marketing Manager at Solus Group. “Education of operating warehouse machinery, including forklifts, is the key for protection against every type of accident. Operator’s manuals should be completely read and fully understood before operating a forklift and should be the first step of all personnel training.”
OSHA is currently investigating the cause of the incident, the Edmond Sun reports.
“Although it is difficult to say how long an investigation may last, OSHA has by law six months to complete an investigation,” Diana Patterson, regional spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Labor, said of the incident.
If OSHA officials discover that Champion Homes, the company for which the three men had been working, violated OSHA’s forklift safety regulations, then the company will likely receive a monetary fine or penalty.
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