OSHA investigating death of Ryland worker in Macon. Company will fully cooperate
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has launched an investigation into the death of the Ryland Environmental worker who was hit by a trash truck last week, according to the OSHA website.
Chad Williams, 45, died after being hit by a reversing garbage truck on Jan. 3, the Bibb County sheriff and coroner’s offices told The Telegraph. OSHA launched a fatality and catastrophe investigation into the incident the next day, OSHA’s website shows. The investigation will determine whether safety regulations were violated.
A fatality investigation is mandatory for all deaths that have occurred in a workplace, according to OSHA. It aims to determine the cause of the event, whether it was a violation of OSHA safety and health standards and “any effect the violation had on the incident,” according to OSHA.
Investigations are expected to be completed expeditiously, according to OSHA. If the investigator determines that there was a violation, the employer could face criminal penalties.
Ryland Environmental to cooperate fully
John Nail, general manager of Ryland Environmental, told The Telegraph Monday that Williams’ death “strikes deeply for every person, and we are coming together to make sure each person is taken care of at this time.”
“What I can tell you for sure is that Chad was a 20-year veteran, (a) top-notch guy, (an) excellent teammate and loved part of our family,” Nail said.
Nail confirmed to The Telegraph Monday that OSHA will be investigating the incident and that the company will fully cooperate with the investigation.
