Firm fined for electrocution death

In November 2006, Golden State Rain Gutters of Paso Robles, CA was fined over $28,000 in the electrocution death of one of its workers. The fine, handed down by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (CalOSHA), included one “general” violation and four “serious” violations that ultimately led to the accident.

The subsequent CalOSHA investigation also found that the ladders the workers used were not secured as they were supposed to be. The points covered in the citation included not providing training, failing to inspect the worksite and discuss potential hazards with the workers, allowing workers to climb the ladders with only one hand, failing to provide “refresher” training to the workers about work hazards, failing to maintain at least six feet between workers and high-voltage lines, and not securing the ladders.

Dean Fryer, a CalOSHA spokesperson, told the San Luis Obispo Tribune that this was the first incident involving Golden State Rain Gutters. And, due in part to the company’s full cooperation during the investigation, the fines were much lower than they could have been. The four “serious” violations alone could have totaled $100,000.

“Really, our goal here is to gain compliance," Fryer told the Tribune. "It’s better to ensure you have safety where they may not have had (it) before rather than issuing a penalty."

Contact with power lines is one of the five most common forms of on-the-job electrocution. In most cases, it involves heavy machinery operating in tightly-packed city centers. Operators forget where they are in relation to these deadly power lines, swing around, and make contact. In some cases, workers near the equipment can be fatally injured. According to OSHA, there about 350 electrocution deaths each year on worksites.

Other common electrocution deaths are caused by lack of ground fault protection, by-passed safety features on power tools and equipment, and improper use of electrical cords – and all are overlooked or even encouraged by employers every day.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an electrical accident, contact Jim S. Adler & Associates for help. For more than 30 years, we have protected the rights of our clients and fought for the compensation they deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and mental anguish. Find out if we can help you by contacting us directly, or by filling in the free case review form on this page with the details of your electrical accident.