Longshoreworker Struck and Killed By Unshipped Forklift Blade [New Orleans, LA ~ 23 September 2016]

Posted by admin on Dec 10, 2016 in Bulletins

While media coverage is virtually non-existent, Blueoceana Company has learned that OSHA has begun a fatal accident investigation into the death of a longshore employee of Coastal Cargo Company, LLC who expired after being struck on the head by a forklift blade while in the hold of a vessel.

Our understanding, is that the worker (as yet unnamed) was assisting in the loading of a steel cargo and to that end was holding cardboard against the vessel’s bulkhead to act as a buffer when a blade of a forklift truck moving at a level above him fell off the machine’s lifting carriage and struck him. There is some indication that the forklift blade’s attachment pin was unsecured or missing.

OSHA has conducted an investigation, but as of this writing no citations have been issued. In sum, the case is open. Under the law, OSHA must issue citations within 6 months of the inspection’s conclusion.

Update – 22 March 2017: Blueoceana Company understands that on 08 March OSHA issued a citation the employer alleging two Serious violations of the agency’s Longshoring Industry regulations: 29 CFR 1918.65 (f)(1) and 29 CFR 1918.65 (h)(1). We provide a link that affords access to further information:

https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.inspection_detail?id=1181490.015