Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 12, 1994 TAG: 9401120051
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Investigators said Tultex had failed to train employees sufficiently in the hazards of working around the company's closed steam systems. The state said no formal procedures were established for operation of the valves.
Clyde Adams Jr., 43, of Axton died July 4 from injuries he received the day before when a steam valve he was opening ruptured.
The accident happened in the finishing department of the knitwear company. Another employee received minor injuries.
The company is to meet with investigators Thursday to respond to the findings.
The report, released by the state Tuesday, recommended a $7,000 penalty in the finding related to the worker's death and $6,875 in penalties for two other safety violations.
Investigators also cited the company for overpressurizing its steam system, but they did not say that the pressure was related to the valve rupture that killed Adams.
During the inquiry, investigators saw an "unauthorized and untrained" employee operating an industrial truck.
The report recommends that Tultex be fined, that it reset the valve pressure and establish written procedures for shutdown of the closed steam systems. It said all employees who work around the systems should be trained in the rules of operation.
In a statement Tuesday, Tultex Chairman John Franck said the company has held meetings to review and re-emphasize its safety policies.
Franck said training seminars have been held for maintenance employees on the proper handling, operation and maintenance of steam valves, and management personnel also have been educated on the systems.
The preliminary findings and recommendations for penalty could be amended after the meeting later this week, a state spokesman said.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB