Temporary worker crushed by palletizer at Bacardi Bottling in Jacksonville
A temporary worker on his first day at Bacardi Bottling in Jacksonville, Florida, was crushed in August 2012 when a palletizing machine was restarted while he cleaned under it.
Key facts
- In August 2012 a temporary worker was crushed to death by a palletizer at Bacardi Bottling Corp. in Jacksonville, Florida, on his first day on the job.
- OSHA said the worker was cleaning glass from under the palletizer's hoist when another employee restarted the machine.
- OSHA issued two willful citations for failing to develop and use lockout/tagout procedures and failing to train temporary workers on them.
- OSHA proposed $192,000 in penalties across 12 alleged violations on February 11, 2013.
- Bacardi said after the citations that it had retrained employees on lockout/tagout, updated its safety procedures and reviewed its equipment.
What happened
Bacardi Bottling Corp. used a staffing agency, Remedy Intelligent Staffing, to supply laborers for some jobs at its Jacksonville plant. In August 2012 a temporary worker assigned through the agency began his first shift there.
According to OSHA, he was cleaning broken glass from under the hoist of a palletizing machine when an employee restarted the palletizer. He was crushed and killed. OSHA found the company had not trained temporary workers to use locks and tags to prevent machines from being started during cleaning, and had not made sure its own employees followed lockout procedures.
The system involved
A palletizer is an automated machine that stacks cases of product onto pallets, typically using a hoist or elevator that raises and lowers layers. OSHA’s account does not identify the manufacturer or say whether the machine used a robot arm. The hazard in this case was an unexpected restart while a person was inside the hoist area.
Investigation and response
OSHA cited Bacardi Bottling on February 11, 2013, for 12 alleged violations. Two were classed as willful: failing to develop, document and use procedures to control hazardous energy, and failing to train temporary workers in them. Nine serious violations covered issues including too few lockout devices, inadequate review of energy-control procedures and blocked exit routes. Proposed penalties totaled $192,000.
David Michaels, then head of OSHA, said employers are responsible for the safety of temporary workers as well as their own staff and must train them before they begin work. In a statement reported by EHS Today, Bacardi said it took the accident seriously, had worked with OSHA and had carried out additional lockout/tagout retraining.
What is not established
OSHA’s news release gives only the month of the incident. OSHA gives the worker’s age as 21, while EHS Today reported 20. The final penalty after any contest or settlement was not verified for this entry.
Outcomes
- On February 11, 2013, OSHA cited Bacardi Bottling Corp. for 12 alleged safety violations, including two willful violations, and proposed $192,000 in penalties.
- OSHA used the case to stress that host employers must train temporary workers on site-specific hazards before they start work.
Sources
- US Labor Departments OSHA cites Jacksonville, Fla.-based Bacardi Bottling following death of temporary worker on 1st dayU.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, February 11, 2013
- Temporary Worker Killed at Bacardi Bottling, OSHA Says Company Failed to TrainEHS Today, February 11, 2013