WEST ORANGE, Texas — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued citations to Zachry Industries for a February 2024 fatal accident.
The accident happened at Golden Triangle Polymers on February 16, 2024. An employee, identified as Yukiko Nakao, 29, of Port Arthur, was working onsite when she reportedly got stuck in the mud while walking, according to OSHA.
Another employee was operating a skid steer loader and did not see Nakao. The coworker knocked her down while backing up and ran her over when he moved forward, according to OSHA.
Nakao was killed after suffering skull fractures to her head.
OSHA has issued two citations at $16,131 each, totaling $32,262.
The first citation is OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1), which states "The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards when working near heavy equipment."
OSHA states that employees were exposed to struck-by hazards from unintended movement because the floorboard of the skid steer was not kept clear.
The second citation is 29 CFR 1926.602(a)(9)(ii), which states "Earth moving or compacting equipment which had an obstructed view to the rear was operated in reverse gear; such equipment did not have in operation a reverse signal alarm distinguishable from the surrounding noise level or did an employee signaled that it is safe to do so."
OSHA claims that the back-up alarm on the skid steer was not working while the employees were using it for construction activities.
Zachry has until September 4, 2024 to pay the citations.