violations in Quebecor World's Clarksville facility. Wilkerson was crushed by a shrink-wrap machine on December 20, 2002. The company was fined $15,300 .
"TOSHA is right to cite Quebecor in Donald Wilkerson's death, but $15,000 is a small price to pay for a person's life," states Graphic Communications International Union (GCIU) Vice President Duncan Brown.
TOSHA reported four "serious" violations that contributed to Wilkerson's death. A serious violation is where a "substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and that the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard," according to OSHA.
Quebecor did not outline proper shut down procedures for the Lantech Ring Wrapper that killed Wilkerson. The company also did not properly train workers to safely maintain the machine. Quebecor did not provide the necessary tools to shut the machine down or supply guarding to protect workers against moving parts.
"Donald's death was a preventable tragedy," says local union president and co-worker Patsy Shepherd. "Quebecor must correct the problems in the plant before someone else gets hurt or killed."
TOSHA has cited Quebecor's Tennessee operations more than 75 times since 1989. This is Quebecor's second highest fine in the U.S. since 1996.
"The company has repeatedly and needlessly endangered the lives of workers. The GCIU seeks to help Quebecor workers worldwide make their workplace safer
and more productive," adds Brown.
The GCIU represents workers in the Clarksville facility as well as workers in 15 other Quebecor plants in the US.
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