OSHA issues proposed citations as a result of fatal accident

Talk about it

Industrial Builders, based out of West Fargo, N.D., was issued two proposed citations from the Occupational Health and Safety Administration after one of its employees died of a work-related injury.

Carl Joseph Jensen, 59, Bruce, S.D., was laying a tarp over recently poured concrete at the Interstate 94 overpass near Medina on Aug. 17. A gust of wind caught the tarp, knocking Jensen through the wooden safety rail, according to the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office.

Jensen fell about 20 feet and landed on his head. He died of injuries received in the accident.

OSHA issued two proposed citations to Industrial Builders, one for exposing employees to high winds while working with the tarp, said Bruce Beelman, area director for OSHA.

To fix it, Industrial Builders could not work during high winds or must utilize additional measures to prevent similar accidents from happening again, Beelman said.

The second proposed citation was because employees were walking over a concrete wall that wasn’t protected enough. The wall did have wooden guardrails, but the force of fabric made it insufficient, Beelman said. Industrial Builders could use other safety measures like a body harness, lanyard system or stronger guardrail.

The proposed fine is a total of about $6,750 although neither entity has finalized a settlement.

Industrial Builders has until Oct. 8 to appeal the citations. And company leaders said they may.

Paul Diederich, president, said he has a team looking into it.

“I don’t know how you can be cited for the wind,” he said.

Already, the company has taken measures to prevent similar accidents, he said.

Sun reporter Katie Ryan can be reached at 701-952-8454

or by e-mail at kryan@jamestownsun.com

Tags: north dakota, industrial builders, news, osha, accident, medina