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Viaero Wireless At Fault In Fatal Work Accident
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited NE Colorado Cellular Inc., Fort Morgan, Colo., operating as Viaero Wireless, for unsafe working conditions, following a fatal accident at one of their communications tower. Penalties could total $115,500.
On Feb. 25th, a worker fell more than 180 feet and was killed while installing cellular phone antennas on a tower located west of Yuma, Colo.
According to OSHA, the accident could have been avoided if the company had followed recognized safe work practices for climbing communication towers.
Of the three citations issued against Viaero Wireless by OSHA's Denver area office, there is one serious violation and two willful violations of OSHA standards.
The willful violations involve improper use of a hoist for lifting personnel up the tower, lack of fall protection and failing to remove a defective snap hook from service. The willful violations carry proposed penalties of $112,000.
Additional penalties of $3,500 were proposed for lack of fall protection training.
OSHA's purpose is to enforce that employers do their part to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. According to OSHA one of the leading causes of worker injuries and deaths is falling to which there is no excuse for failing to provide adequate protection.
Willful violations are those committed with intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
A serious citation is only issued when there is substantial probability that a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known about could cause death or serious physical harm.
When an employer receives the citations they have 15 working days in which to request an informal conference with a representative from OSHA, or to contest the citations and proposed penalties in front of an independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.