Region 6 News Release: 13-1843-DAL
Sept. 27, 2013
Contact: Diana Petterson Juan Rodriguez
Phone: 972-850-4710 972-850-4709
Email: petterson.diana@dol.gov rodriguez.juan@dol.gov

US Department of Labor's OSHA cites 4 Russellville, Ark., employers in crane
collapse that fatally injured 1 worker and hurt 8 others

RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Precision Surveillance Corp., Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., Siemens Power Generation Inc. and Entergy Operations Inc. for 26 safety violations after one Precision Surveillance worker was fatally injured when a crane collapsed at the Arkansas Nuclear One Power Plant in March. Eight other workers were hurt.

Precision Surveillance Corp., in East Chicago, Ind., is being cited for one serious violation with a penalty of $6,300 for failing to provide an effective communication system to alert the operator or signalman through an emergency stop signal. Bigge Crane and Rigging Co. in San Leandro, Calif., Siemens Power Generation Inc. in Orlando, Fla., and Entergy Operations Inc. in Russellville are being cited for failing to comply with crane-related hazards. Bigge Crane is being cited for nine serious violations with a penalty of $56,700, and Siemens is being cited for nine serious violations with a penalty of $63,000. Entergy is being cited for 7 serious violations with a penalty of $49,000. Proposed penalties for all violations total $175,000. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

"This tragedy could have been prevented had the employer ensured vital safeguards to protect workers from potential hazards and proper planning for a project of this magnitude," said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA's area director in Little Rock. "OSHA will hold the employers accountable for not meeting their workplace safety and health responsibilities."

Citations for Precision Surveillance can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Precision_Surveillance_Corp_898609_0926_13.pdf*
View citations for Bigge Crane and Rigging at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Bigge_Crane_and_Rigging_900571_0926_13.pdf*
and Siemens Power Generation at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Siemens_Power_Generation_900545_0926_13.pdf*
Citations for Entergy Operations are at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Entergy_Operations_900604_0926_13.pdf*

The companies have 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's office in Little Rock at 501-224-1841.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions exist for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

###

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The information above is available in large print, Braille or CD from the COAST office upon request by calling 292-693-7828 or TTY 292-693-7755.

* Accessibility Assistance: Contact OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 for assistance accessing PDF materials.