News Digest 4-1-2019

Boston-area vehicle auction company, owner charged in 2017 crash that killed 5

Nearly two years after five people were killed after being struck by a vehicle driven by an unlicensed employee at a Billerica, Massachusetts automobile auction, the company’s owner and president, as well as the company itself, face multiple manslaughter charges. The driver, however, has not been charged. The vehicle reached about 32 mph within the building, according to prosecutors. Boston Globe [with video]

Death of worker results in obstruction charges

A Youngstown, Ohio-area aluminum company faces charges of obstructing justice in relation to a Fed-OSHA investigation following the death of a worker, who was killed in 2012 when racks containing hot aluminum product weighing between 4,000 and 5,000 pounds tipped over while on a conveyor belt, crushing him. A second worker was hospitalized with severe burns in the incident. Business Journal

Kansas City construction worker fatally falls from hotel site

A construction worker at a downtown Kansas City hotel building site was killed Thursday morning when he fell 23 stories, according to fire officials. Fed-OSHA has opened an investigation. The victim reportedly was an employee of a subcontractor on the project; the company estimates that the worker actually fell from the 18th floor. Wichita Eagle

Two injured at by propeller aeronautics institute

An incident involving a moving propeller at the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics resulted in the hospitalization of two students last week. One was in critical condition with a skull injury, while the other suffered a hand injury. Tribune Chronicle (Warren, Ohio)

Wisconsin pallet manufacturer fined $188K for repeat wood dust violation

Fed-OSHA has fined a Beloit, Wisconsin pallet manufacturer more than $188,000 after a follow-up inspection found employees continued to be exposed to wood dust. Fed-OSHA had previously cited the company for these hazards in 2016. Beloit Daily News

Flying metal hits homes near Pennsylvania salvage yard

More than one home near a Spring Garden Township, Pennsylvania salvage yard has been hit by flying metal in recent days, possibly due to operation of a car shredder and built-up vapors in the vehicles. York Daily Record [with video]

Worker injured by loader at Missouri ranch

A farm accident at a Randolph County, Missouri reportedly injured a worker Friday morning. Two employees reportedly were using a loader to drive a fence post into the ground, when the loader slipped off the post, causing one of the workers to fall and the loader then rolled over him. KMIZ (Columbia, Mo.)