There has been a notable increase in small or craft breweries all across the United States. With this increase, comes an increase of incidents where workers have been injured on the job while working in this burgeoning industry. Recently in California, a worker at a small brewery suffered a fatal work injury.
The 27-year-old man was using a forklift at the facility when something went wrong. For some reason, the heavy piece of machinery rolled over on top of the man. He suffered chest injuries and died as a result. It is unclear what exactly he was doing at the time.
OSHA is investigating the incident and the brewery contends they are working with investigators to get to the bottom of the tragic accident. Small craft breweries have made the news recently for other accidents. It is noted that large scale brewers contended with 151 safety violations between 2003 and 2011. OSHA and state investigators have recorded 547 safety violations at craft breweries during the same time period.
While an investigation may very well determine what exactly went wrong and pinpoint steps that can be taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again, the fact remains that a young man was fatally injured on the job. In California, there are rules and legislation that determine the rights and benefits of those who are injured on the job. There are also benefits for the families left behind. Those benefits can help family members deal with medical bills, lost wages or help the funeral costs of a lost loved one.
Source: brewbound.com, Stone Brewing Worker Dies in Forklift Accident : Brewbound.com, Chris Furnari, Aug. 26, 2013