The Brief
- Cal-OSHA is proposing fining Alco Iron & Metal in San Leandro $95,000 in fines after the workplace death of a mechanic.
- The mechanic, Luis Guerrero, is one of three Alco employees to die on the job in eight years.
- Alco did not immediately respond to the fine and has the right to appeal.
OAKLAND, Calif. – Cal-OSHA, the state agency that oversees safety in the workplace, has fined a San Leandro metal recycler $95,000 following the death of a mechanic – one of three employee deaths in the last eight years, KTVU has learned.
$95K fine
Peter Melton, a spokesman for the state Occupational Safety and Health Administration, said that the agency fined Alco Iron & Metal on June 17 following the Jan. 8 death of Luis Guerrero, 41, of Castro Valley, who was killed after a forklift fell on him while he was trying to fix it.
KTVU obtained exclusive video showing what happened that day, which shows Guerreo walking to the back of the broken forklift, and the machine taking a swift nosedive to the ground, trapping him underneath. He is seen flat on his back, as employees rush to his aid.
The violations are classified as one general, three serious and two serious accident-related. The proposed penalties are $95,000.
What the company says
A spokesman for Alco Iron & Metal did not immediately respond on Thursday, or indicate whether the company would appeal those fines. …