By John Bisnar on January 29, 2013 -
January 27, 2013—Astoria, New York–A construction accident at the site of a new apartment building in Queens resulted in the death of a worker who plunged 15 feet into a basement, striking his head on a steel girder, according to witnesses and news reports from the NY Daily News.
Unsafe Conditions May Have Been Present
The 42-year-old unnamed employee was working at the Broadway site when he fell through a hole in the first floor. He plunged fifteen feet into a basement area and was struck by a steel
girder. He was rushed to the hospital but died of his injuries. Workers who were interviewed about the accident refused to give their names but confirmed the circumstances of the man’s death.
Work at the site was called to a halt with the Department of Buildings investigated. The general contractor employing the worker, Centex Builders, has not commented on the death or investigation. Read the rest »
By John Bisnar on October 16, 2012 -
Jose Malena, 65, suffered fatal injuries on the job after he was trapped in a cooking device at the Bumble Bee Foods plant in Santa Fe Springs. According to a KTLA news report, the incident occurred the morning of October 11, 2012 at the factory located in the 13100 block of Arctic Circle. Malena was discovered inside a device called the steamer machine and pronounced dead at the scene. Cal-OSHA officials are still trying to determine how Malena ended up inside the equipment. Investigators are also looking into whether there were any health or safety violations at the site. 
OSHA officials stated that the investigation, which will include visits to the tuna canning plant, interviews and review of the company’s safety documentation, could be completed within six-months. If it is determined after the investigation that there were safety violations, the company could face civil penalties. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office will also determine if criminal charges are warranted. Read the rest »
By John Bisnar on October 5, 2012 -
An Orange County Transportation Authority employee, who was driving an agency-issued Toyota Prius, was seriously injured in a Santa Ana car accident involving a suspected drunk driver. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, the major injury collision occurred in the 200 block of North Harbor Boulevard near First Street the morning of October 5, 2012. Police say a Chevy Tahoe struck the Prius. The woman was extricated from the Prius and transported to an area hospital with major injuries. The driver of the Tahoe was detained on suspicion of driving under the influence. The investigation is ongoing.
My heart goes out to this injured OCTA employee who has suffered severe injuries in this collision. I wish her the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. She will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers.
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By John Bisnar on September 27, 2012 -
California Highway Patrol Officer Andy Beasley was severely injured in a car accident in Sacramento County after his motorcycle hit a vehicle that had moments earlier been involved in a separate collision. According to a CBS13 news report the injury crash occurred the morning of September 25, 2012 in the westbound lanes of the Interstate 80 near Greenback Lane. Officials say a Chevy Cruze driven by 53-year-old Debra Andes was traveling in the number two lane, when it rear-ended a Toyota Corolla driven by 50-year-old Jessica Brown.
The impact pushed the Corolla into the number one lane, in front of Beasley’s motorcycle. The motorcycle struck the driver’s side of the Corolla. Officer Beasley was ejected from the motorcycle and thrown onto the guardrail. He was transported to a local hospital with major injuries including multiple fractures, abrasions and a concussion. The injuries are not believed to be life threatening. It is not clear if any charges will be filed in this case. The investigation is ongoing.
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By John Bisnar on July 5, 2012 -
Benny Tachdjian, 62, of La Verne was killed in a car accident after the 1926 Ford Hot Rod another driver was test-driving went out of control and crashed. According to a news report in The San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the fatal crash occurred the morning of July 2, 2012. California Highway Patrol officials say 70-year-old Dennis Tessenske was driving the car in the number four lane of the 210 Freeway near Towne Avenue in Claremont when he lost control and swerved to the right.
The hot rod struck the curb and crashed into a light pole. Tessenske was partially ejected from the vehicle, which does not have seatbelts. He is expected to survive. Tachdjian, a dealership employee who was a passenger in the hot rod, struck his head on the concrete right shoulder. He was taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing.
I offer my deepest condolences to the family members and friends of Benny Tachdjian for their tragic loss. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.
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By John Bisnar on May 21, 2012 -
A 63-year-old man suffered major injuries on the job after his arm became stuck inside a machine and got severed just below the elbow. According to a news article in The Orange County Register, the industrial accident occurred the night of May 17, 2012 at GE Aviation Systems at 2040 E. Dyer Road in Santa Ana. When emergency personnel arrived at the plant, they found the man’s arm still stuck in the machinery. Co-workers had created a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Cal/OSHA officials are investigating the cause of this injury accident. The worker and his severed arm were transported to an area trauma center. It is not known whether surgeons were able to reattach his arm.
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured worker and his family members for what they are going through at this time. I truly hope the worker will have a speedy and complete recovery and that doctors will be able to reattach his arm.
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