Preliminary Investigation Determines that Illinois Worker Deaths were Preventable

An investigation performed by the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) has determined that a grain belt accident that left two teenagers dead and one other seriously injured was preventable. The tragic workplace accident occurred on Wednesday around 10:00 a.m. in a bin owned by Haasbach LLC in Mount Carroll, IL. According to reports, three workers were inside the bin when the accident happened. Those workers were aged 19 years old, 14 years old, and 20 years old. Both the 19 year old and the 14 year old were killed in the workplace accident. The 20 year old was taken to St. Anthony’s Hospital in Rockford, IL, where he was listed in fair condition.

The aforementioned investigation determined that none of the workers were wearing required safety harnesses or were equipped with required safety harnesses when the tragedy occurred. Investigators also revealed that the deceased 14 year old should not have been working in the grain bin to begin with under any circumstances. OSHA has six months to complete their investigation. The agency has already conducted interviews with employees, owners and individuals that were at the accident scene. The matter is still being investigated by the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department.

If you have been involved in a workplace accident in Illinois, you should contact an attorney to ensure that you receive all of the benefits that you are entitled to.