Sadly, an employee of a sign-making company in St. Louis was killed on Jan. 10 after suffering work-related injuries. According to local news reports, members of the St. Louis Fire Department were called to the sign-making business at about 9:20 p.m., but the 47-year-old victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The man was a worker at Butler Merchandising Solutions. He was reportedly operating a clam shell die machine when the accident occurred. He had apparently reached into the machine when it closed and trapped him, causing fatal trauma.
It was indicated that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration would be notified of the accident. Further investigation was said to be underway, and the family of the man will likely want to know exactly what happened.
Workers in Madison County and the surrounding areas often have to operate heavy machinery that is potentially dangerous. But just because one line of work may at times be more hazardous than others, that does not mean employees aren’t entitled to a safe work environment, as well as the proper training to operate dangerous machinery. Regardless of the type of work an employee does, he or she may file a workers’ compensation claim following an on-the-job injury. Benefits from such a claim often help workers and their families make ends meet in the event an employee loses wages because of injuries. In cases in which a worker dies as a result of a work-related accident, the family of the employee may also file a personal injury claim in addition to a workers’ compensation claim; that is, if it is believed the fatal injury resulted from another person’s negligence.
Madison County residents will likely share in their concern for the family of the worker who died yesterday evening. Our hearts go out to that family as they negotiate this time of recovery and grief.
Source: “Brady Perkins dies after injuries sustained at Butler Merchandising Solutions,” Jan. 11, 2012