The workers comp judge agreed with the latter.ĭespite the outcome of the workers’ comp claim filed by Dietz’s widow, it’s important to see how fatigue and individual worker health plays a huge role in worker safety. Some doctors explained that Dietz’s preexisting conditions put him at high risk for a heart attack, while others stated his conditions paired with extraneous physical labor caused his death. First responders could not resuscitate him. Nearing the end of an especially grueling day, Dietz collapsed. Even with his higher status, Dietz found himself regularly working long hours doing manual labor: jack-hammering, repairing water main breaks, cutting tree roots. He put in over 20 years of service as a maintenance worker. Dietz worked for the Lower Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority in Pennsylvania. The plant’s former safety manager and director of plant operations faced legal ramifications.Īfter one 14-hour shift, being “worked to death” took on a whole different meaning for Robert Dietz and his family. Adherence to lockout tagout procedures would have made this all avoidable. Another $1.5 million added up in fines, penalties, court costs, and miscellaneous expenses.Īll together, this accident cost Bumble Bee approximately $6 million and Jose Melena’s life. They also paid $1.5 million to Melena’s family. Bumble Bee replaced all of their ovens after the accident, costing about $3 million. The industrial oven was dangerously outdated. When it was opened, Melena was found inside. ![]() A coworker, mistakenly thinking Melena was using the restroom, loaded the oven with 12,000 pounds of tuna and turned on the oven. Another worker turned off the oven about two hours later. He entered a 35-foot-long oven the morning of October 11, 2012. Jose Melena, 62, worked at Bumble Bee’s plant in Santa Fe. If you do a quick Google search of “Bumble Bee tuna plant worker accident”, the headlines will stop you in your tracks. ![]() Safety stories stem from scary near misses, serious injuries, and worst case scenarios. Regardless of the outcome, safety stories serve as important reminders to avoid complacent attitudes in the workplace.īelow are a collection of some safety stories from the news, from young workers, and a couple from our own experience.
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