Rule Steel Tanks Inc of Caldwell last month paid a penalty of USD4,500 for a serious safety hazard. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Structural steel fabricator Rule Steel Tanks Inc of Caldwell last month paid a penalty of USD4,500 for a serious safety hazard that resulted in the death of telehandler operator Roy Frazier, 53.

Investigators for the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) say the forks of the Caterpillar telehandler were not lowered to the ground before the operator left the cab. The forks were supporting an unsecured 50 ft. (15.2 m), 5,000 lb. (2,250 kg) steel beam. Frazier was moving the beam, which fell and pinned him, causing fatal injuries on 30 April.

"The act of attempting to flip the load 180 degrees while on the elevated forks caused it to be unstable," OSHA reports.

The standard says: "When the operator of an industrial truck is dismounted and within 25 ft. (7.6 m) of the truck still in his view, the load engaging means shall be fully lowered, controls neutralised and the brakes set to prevent movement."

David Kearns, OSHA area director in Boise, Idaho, says: "Rule Steel has abated the hazardous conditions related to the tragic incident. They have taken additional steps and implemented policies and procedures to protect their workers."

Rule Steel manufactures tanks for multiple applications, steel building components, recycling and refuse containers, wine fermentators and agricultural boxes. The business started in 1960 and primarily serves the north-west region of the US.

In 2013, OSHA issued four citations to Rule Steel including a serious violation that dealt with the absence of guards on machines to protect workers.

OSHA is an agency of the US Department of Labor.