Having just returned from the FCC/DOL Workshop regarding the telecommunications industry, we believe it is important to send a message to employers that WILLFULLY place their employees in harm’s way that they should be held accountable for their actions! According to published reports, "OSHA's inspection found that the equipment the company provided the workers was in poor repair and the company did not use proper engineering plans to ensure their workers were protected against this type of collapse.
The agency’s investigation found that Wireless Horizon failed to inspect the wire rope slings prior to use and provide protection to the slings whenwire rope slings prior to use and provide protection to the slings when rigged over sharp objects. These failures resulted in the issuance of two willful violations. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
Wireless Horizon also failed to conduct an engineering survey and develop a rigging plan prior to beginning the demolition process. Additionally, the company did not provide the technicians a load chart for the gin pole in use or operator manuals, according to OSHA" (WE, 2014).
The fines for the "willful violations" could have been more ($70K), but those have already been reduced to $56K. Additionally, the "serious" violations should have been $7K, but those too have been reduced to $5,600. Hubble Foundation, the families, and the workers in the industry are calling on OSHA to do the responsible and the morally just thing. We are askingthat the fines remain where they are and that they not be reduced further!
For many years now, OSHA fines have resulted in being little more than "the cost of business." Show the employers in this industry that placing---WILLFULLY placing employee lives at risk will NOT be tolerated.
Seth Garner and Marty Powers should never have lost their lives just by going to work! The tower collapse that took their lives in Blaine, KS could have been prevented, and the employer needs to be held accountable for the actions they took that day by placing the lives of these men, and others, at risk.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 21, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
October 17, 2014
13 Comments
It says nothing about men being placed on a job they were not qualified to do nor does this say anything about the company being told of the dangers of this structure.... Nor the string of incidents through the past of Wireless Horizon paying people cash when injured to keep their injuries from being reported to their insurance company... Fines should be doubled....
these companies need to face the consequences, our men do not need to lost their lives so some big company can meet a deadline.
The Telecommunications Industry NEEDS OSHA to assist in changing the culture of carelessness and enforce the regulations and subsequent penalties for non-compliance!
I agree the families need the money most. But, I also support OSHA receiving money to continue funding inspectors who are out there trying to catch violators. OSHA is also the first government related organization to fine these owners at a much higher rate than they are used to and I would like to encourage that. Sometimes the only way to hurt these companies is through their pocket.
I am not in any way condoning negligence, but why is OSHA getting ANY money? It's easy to bounce from site to site to pointing out violations. When someone is injured or killed in a work related accident such as this, I believe that most of that money should be given to the descendant's immediate survivors. Whether it goes through OSHA's hands first or comes straight from the company in violation.
do not not reduce fines
Don't allow companies to put their employees in harm's way. More profit is NOT worth someone's life.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via . Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
Having just returned from the FCC/DOL Workshop regarding the telecommunications industry, we believe it is important to send a message to employers that WILLFULLY place their employees in harm’s way that they should be held accountable for their actions! According to published reports, "OSHA's inspection found that the equipment the company provided the workers was in poor repair and the company did not use proper engineering plans to ensure their workers were protected against this type of collapse.
The agency’s investigation found that Wireless Horizon failed to inspect the wire rope slings prior to use and provide protection to the slings whenwire rope slings prior to use and provide protection to the slings when rigged over sharp objects. These failures resulted in the issuance of two willful violations. A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
Wireless Horizon also failed to conduct an engineering survey and develop a rigging plan prior to beginning the demolition process. Additionally, the company did not provide the technicians a load chart for the gin pole in use or operator manuals, according to OSHA" (WE, 2014).
The fines for the "willful violations" could have been more ($70K), but those have already been reduced to $56K. Additionally, the "serious" violations should have been $7K, but those too have been reduced to $5,600. Hubble Foundation, the families, and the workers in the industry are calling on OSHA to do the responsible and the morally just thing. We are askingthat the fines remain where they are and that they not be reduced further!
For many years now, OSHA fines have resulted in being little more than "the cost of business." Show the employers in this industry that placing---WILLFULLY placing employee lives at risk will NOT be tolerated.
Seth Garner and Marty Powers should never have lost their lives just by going to work! The tower collapse that took their lives in Blaine, KS could have been prevented, and the employer needs to be held accountable for the actions they took that day by placing the lives of these men, and others, at risk.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
October 21, 2014
Reached 100 supporters
October 17, 2014
13 Comments
please hold those responsible for neglagence, and make sure that things are right so we don't have to lose our good friends and family
It says nothing about men being placed on a job they were not qualified to do nor does this say anything about the company being told of the dangers of this structure.... Nor the string of incidents through the past of Wireless Horizon paying people cash when injured to keep their injuries from being reported to their insurance company... Fines should be doubled....
these companies need to face the consequences, our men do not need to lost their lives so some big company can meet a deadline.
The Telecommunications Industry NEEDS OSHA to assist in changing the culture of carelessness and enforce the regulations and subsequent penalties for non-compliance!
I agree the families need the money most. But, I also support OSHA receiving money to continue funding inspectors who are out there trying to catch violators. OSHA is also the first government related organization to fine these owners at a much higher rate than they are used to and I would like to encourage that. Sometimes the only way to hurt these companies is through their pocket.
I am not in any way condoning negligence, but why is OSHA getting ANY money? It's easy to bounce from site to site to pointing out violations. When someone is injured or killed in a work related accident such as this, I believe that most of that money should be given to the descendant's immediate survivors. Whether it goes through OSHA's hands first or comes straight from the company in violation.
do not not reduce fines
Don't allow companies to put their employees in harm's way. More profit is NOT worth someone's life.
Help this petition grow
Share it with friends to help reach 500 signatures.
Sign Petition
We never post to your account. Social sign-in is used only to verify your signature.
Add a comment?
Your signature will be added via .
Tell others why you're signing — it's optional.
Signing with Google or Facebook verifies your signature instantly — no email needed.
By signing, you accept iPetitions Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
please hold those responsible for neglagence, and make sure that things are right so we don't have to lose our good friends and family