OSHA looking into fall
Published 12:18 am Thursday, November 8, 2007
NATCHEZ — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation in response to Chris Skinner’s death at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Monday.
OSHA’s assistant area director for the Jackson office, Jesse Baynes, said OSHA is taking the matter very seriously.
Baynes said his office became aware of Skinner’s death on Tuesday, and immediately started their investigation.
Monday Skinner fell to his death while loading furniture into a third-story window.
On Wednesday, Baynes said, an OSHA inspector was sent to the construction site at the Hampton Inn.
Baynes said OSHA’s inspector will be giving the construction site a very through investigation and will be looking for any hazards or workplace violations.
Baynes also said the inspection will encompass all companies involved with the construction project.
If the construction site is deemed to be unsafe OSHA will take appropriate action, Baynes said.
“They could be subject to citations or penalties,” Baynes said.
Baynes warned however that the inspection process is not a quick one.
“An investigation could take up to 180 days,” Baynes said.
In fact, Baynes said, the inspection of the construction site could take multiple days.
Baynes said his office became aware of the incident at the Hampton’s construction site when they received several calls about the incident and saw an article about it in the newspaper.
Monday Skinner, fell to his death while loading furniture into a third-story window.
Skinner and another man Aaron Abundiz, were standing on a pallet that was raised by a forklift.
A witness said when the pallet tilted the two men fell.
While Skinner is believed to have died instantly, Abundiz’s father, also at the scene, said his son only suffered a broken leg.