Employee death leads to safety citations for paving firm

U.S. workplace safety regulators cited and proposed $16,814 in fines against a Florida paving company after an employee suffered fatal injuries at a worksite.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Holly Hill, Florida-based Pavemax Corp. after inspectors determined that a paver operator lacked proper training to use the equipment, was allowed to stand on the equipment while it was in motion, and subsequently fell and was pulled under the paver, according to a statement on Wednesday.

“This tragedy could have been prevented if employees were trained properly on operating equipment safely,” Buddy Underwood, OSHA’s Jacksonville, Florida, area office acting director, said in a statement.

A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.