Industrial accidents at Goodyear facility lead to multiple deaths
Drivers in Illinois might be familiar with Goodyear as a manufacturer of vehicle tires, but they may not be aware of its reputation for dangerous workplaces. Multiple industrial accidents at an out-of-state Goodyear facility have resulted in several deaths over the course of a single year. The fourth and most recent accident left a 40-year-old worker dead.
The exact nature of the accident that led to the death is not clear, but employees claim that, despite multiple improvements, the facility remains an unsafe place to work. The deceased worker left behind a wife and a teenage son. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched is currently investigating the accident to determine what ultimately caused the accident.
In April 2016, Goodyear closed down the facility following the death of two workers in a span of only two weeks. OSHA is believed to still be in the process of investigating these two deaths in addition to other complaints related to facility safety. The facility was, however, previously slapped with a fine of $17,000 for another worker’s death in Aug. 2015.
Goodyear has yet to comment on potential safety changes that it might make in the future, although the company did offer its condolences to the victim’s family members and other workers. However, condolences often mean little in situations like this, as industrial accidents that result in death often leave family members in difficult financial positions. Temporary death benefits from workers’ compensation can provide lost wages in order to help Illinois families with the emotional and financial transition.
Source: wdbj7.com, “Goodyear confirms fourth workplace fatality within one year“, Danielle Staub, Aug. 12, 2016
