REPORTED OCCUPATIONAL FATALITIES IN UAW-REPRESENTED WORKPLACES 2008

1. Jan. 8, 2008 – William D. LaVanway (died Feb. 4): 54 years old; Electrician; 14 years seniority; Robert Bosch Corp. Chassis Systems; St. Joseph, Mich.; LU 383, Region 1D. The victim was assigned to investigate a “hot spot” found by thermograph scans on a power distribution panelboard in Dept. 48. He was working on a fusible switch bucket to determine the problem in the fuse block. The victim followed established procedures placing the disconnect switch in the off position prior to opening the bucket door and tested to verify power was off to both the load side and line side of the fuse block. The fusible switch bucket is an older design which does not have visible switch blades for positive identification of their position. He was using a screwdriver to demonstrate to his supervisor that the fuse clip had good compression and was not loose when an arc fault explosion occurred.

2. Feb. 20, 2008 – David Wentz: 38 years old; Maintenance Mechanic: 11 years seniority; AK Steel Coshocton (Ohio) Works; LU 3462, Region 2B. The victim was assigned to check torque on a nut in the fan assembly at the base of a bell furnace prior to the loading of coiled flat steel. The bell furnace base is located in an 11-foot deep pit. This task had become necessary before each load cycle because preventive maintenance resources have been reduced. Also, prior to the reductions two Maintenance Mechanics were assigned to perform this task. As the victim bent over tightening the bolt, an overhead trolley crane positioned and lowered a 17 ton roll of steel on to the base, crushing him. The victim was working alone at the time of the incident.

3. March 13, 2008 – Hiram Torres: 61 years old; Warehouse Worker; 9 years seniority; Jose Santiago; Catano, Puerto Rico; LU 3401, Region 9A. The victim was assigned as a helper to deliver food products and materials to a second-floor cafeteria at a customer location. His normal job was in the warehouse and he was filling in for the regular worker that day. The driver and victim unloaded material from the delivery truck, placed it on a powered lift platform using a two-wheeled hand truck, closed the lift doors and activated the lift. Both workers walked to the second floor and opened the lift doors to unload materials. The victim stepped onto the lift platform to position himself behind the hand truck and fell through an unguarded 28” x 78” opening between the lift platform and the back wall. The second-floor area has poor lighting and this was the first time delivering to this location for both workers.