Interstate Brick: OSHA inspections and violations

Incident on Aug 21, 2009 (fatal): Worker dies in confined space accident

At approximately 1:45 p.m. on August 21, 2009, near the end of his shift, a kiln maintenance worker was found caught underneath the door of a preheater which wa s marked as a confined space. The worker was found in a crouched position, with his upper torso on the outside of the preheater door and his legs beneath him. T he accident investigation did not specify if the worker was alive, when he was f ound. The company's confined space policy required atmospheric testing and obtai ning an entry permit prior to entry. None of these precautions were carried out, on the day of the accident.

Incident on Jun 15, 1999: Employee's leg fractured between catwalk and table beam

Employee #1 was working as a helper at the spreader table of a line presetting m achine. It was set on automatic cycle to accommodate there being only one worker , and as the bricks came out of the machine, Employee #1 separated them on the s preader table. Some of the bricks fell on their sides and the operator turned of f the machine in mid-cycle. Employee #1 had stepped onto the table grating to st raighten the bricks when the operator, without realizing Employee #1's location, turned the machine back on. The automated cycle continued and the table opened. Employee #1's lower right leg was fractured when it became pinned between the t hin catwalk and a metal table beam.

Incident on Jan 11, 1999: Employee's finger amputated when caught in machine

Employee was making an adjustment to a machine while it was in operation. The en d of his finger became caught and was crushed when the machine moved. Employee # 1's finger was later surgically amputated between the first and second joints. H e failed to shut down power before working on the machine.

Incident on Feb 21, 1994 (fatal): Employee killed when pinned against dumpster by lift

Employee #1 dismounted a forklift without setting the parking brake, to pick up some bricks that were on the ground in front of a dumpster that he was going to move. While Employee #1 was between the forklift and the dumpster, the forklift rolled and pinned him against the dumpster. The weight of the forklift suffocate d him and he was killed. There were no witnesses to the accident.