An investigation into a truck and trailer parts distributor found serious safety violations at the company’s Corpus Christi facility after a worker died.
On Jan. 7, an employee of FleetPride Inc. asphyxiated while inspecting a tanker trailer, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
In January, the Nueces County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the worker who died as Juan Antonio Garza Jr., 63.
This death sparked a federal workplace safety investigation into the company, which found that the company had exposed workers to confined space and other safety hazards, according to the release.
OSHA cited the company for 16 serious and three “other-than-serious” safety violations. Violations include failure to implement a confined space program, lacking elements for its respiratory protection program and exposing workers to electrical hazards.
OSHA has proposed $264,380 in penalties for the cited violations.
The FleetPride facility is located near Annaville on Interstate Highway 37.
According to the news release, the company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: OSHA cites FleetPride Inc. for death at Corpus Christi facility
Reporting by Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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By Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times | USA TODAY Network
