Millon & Peskin | Attorneys at Law

Call for a free consultation today: 630-449-3884

Photo of office building of Millon & Peskin | Attorneys at Law

Restoring Dignity & Control After An Injury 

OSHA investigates fatal workplace injury at Illinois sawmill

On Behalf of | Mar 22, 2018 | Uncategorized |

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be conducting an investigation at an Illinois sawmill after a worker lost his life. The agency says the fatal workplace injury occurred on a recent Monday afternoon. The company manufactures lumber and specialty wood products, and it has multiple types of dangerous equipment on-site.

Although very little information about the circumstances that led to the worker’s death was reported, authorities noted that it involved contact with moving parts of equipment. The deceased worker was a 34-year-old employee of the sawmill. It is not clear what type of machine the man was operating when he was hurt.

OSHA has strict safety regulations to protect workers from moving machine parts, designed to make most injuries preventable. Safeguards must prevent contact, and lockout/tag-out devices must be fitted to deactivate equipment during cleaning, clearing of jams, repairs and maintenance. The agency’s compliance inspectors will assess the company’s compliance with the applicable safety regulations.

Losing a loved one to an avoidable workplace injury is naturally a devastating experience, and surviving family members typically have to face financial hurdles at such a difficult time. An experienced Illinois workers’ compensation attorney can take over and navigate a workers’ compensation death benefits claim to pursue prompt financial assistance. This can help to pay for a funeral and burial, and a wage-replacement package can assist with day-to-day living expenses along with financial obligations such as rental or mortgage payments. Lost income coverage is typically based on the deceased worker’s last average weekly wage. 

Source: newspressnow.com, “Employee dies in accident at sawmill“, March 13, 2018

FindLaw Network