Workplace Accident Tragically Kills Security Guard in Fort Mill, South Carolina (SC)

FORT MILL, SC- Wsoctv.com writes that a security guard in Fort Mill died while working at the Stanley Black and Decker facility. The incident is being referred to by the authorities as a tragic workplace accident.*

The victim was identified as a 69-year-old woman. While details regarding the incident are not clear, the coroner stated that the accident was a pedestrian versus vehicle collision. The woman reportedly died at the scene. 

The company released a statement as well in which it explained that the security contractor was involved in an accident with a truck. The vehicle belonged to an independent company, according to Stanley Black and Decker. The victim was in the parking lot entrance at the time of the tragedy. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the incident, as is the Highway Patrol and the county coroner’s office. The company stated that they are cooperating with the investigation.

OSHA has worked to improve workplace safety for more than 40 years. According to OSHA, in 1970, an average of 38 workers died on the job every day. By 2017, that average had been reduced to fourteen workplace fatalities each day.

Still, in 2018, 5,250 American workers lost their lives on the job. Many of those incidents could be prevented through careful workplace practices. OSHA frequently finds violations of workplace safety standards when it is called to investigate accidents. 

Employers who violate OSHA’s standards for workplace safety will be hit with civil penalties. The fines can cost thousands of dollars per violation, with costs varying depending on the type of violation and whether the company repeatedly violated the same safety standard. The maximum fine an employer will face to a willful violation was increased in 2020 to $134,937.

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com - click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or a family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com.

Sources:

https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/osha-investigating-workplace-death-stanley-black-decker-plant-fort-mill/6E4VJ35445AENEQJ2NICABV3S4/

https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats#:~:text=OSHA%20is%20Making%20a%20Difference&text=Worker%20deaths%20in%20America%20are,2.8%20per%20100%20in%202017.

https://ohsonline.com/articles/2020/01/17/osha-raises-civil-penalties-for-2020-but-data-shows-companies-often-skirt-their-large-penalties.aspx