• 30
  • August
    2011

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has two open investigations at the Tampa Pepsi warehouse and production plant after two serious incidents killed one individual and injured two others already this year.

Last Sunday, a worker's left leg was trapped in the plant's conveyor while he was attempting to clean the system. Coworkers were alerted to the accident by his screams. It took rescue workers 90 minutes to free him and he was then transported to the hospital for treatment and recovery.

Earlier this year, two employees of Westfalia Technology were attempting to repair a mechanical lift used to move pallets in the Pepsi warehouse. The lift spontaneously fell from 15 feet, trapping and killing one and injuring the other.

Following the latest accident, Pepsi has begun its own equipment safety inspections early, originally scheduled for September.

Tampa Area Workplace Injuries

The Florida worker's compensation system is designed to cover any related medical expenses, partial lost wages and any long term consequences of an on-the-job injury. Tampa worker's compensation attorneys help injured employees understand and work through the process so that benefits may be secured as quickly as possible and the injured worker can focus on recovery.

Warehouses are particularly dangerous places to work. Fatal injuries in warehouses exceed the national average, according to OSHA. Throughout the United States, over 145,000 people work in about 7,000 warehouses.

Common dangers found in warehouses that lead to the high occurrence of injury to or death of workers include the improper:

  • Use of forklifts
  • Stacking of materials or products
  • Failure to use personal protective equipment
  • Fire safety provisions

Every employer has a duty to provide a safe working environment for its employees. While some jobs may present greater danger to employees, reasonable safety precautions should be taken as well as state and federal safety guidelines should be followed to prevent serious workplace injuries and tragedies.

Workplace safety is not just about treating injuries. Prevention may be the most important piece.

Source: Pepsi plant accidents lead to federal investigations Tampa