Today's post is shared from the latimes.com
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health leveled the penalty against Menzies Aviation, whose employee, Cesar Valenzuela, 51, died after being thrown from a baggage tug that did not have a functional seat belt.
Cal/OSHA investigators said seatbelts were required for the vehicle and that Menzies' safety policies related to baggage tugs did not require and even discouraged the use of restraints in certain areas of LAX.
"This fatality could have been prevented with a well thought out and implemented safety plan as is required for all worksites in California," said Christine Baker, director of the state Department of Industrial Relations.
Menzies and other aviation service companies contract with airlines to provide cabin cleaners, security personnel, custodians, wheel-chair assistants and baggage handlers.
The citations prompted union officials and service company employees to renew their calls for improvements to working conditions at LAX, the nation's third-busiest airport.
"Workers punching in at the start of a shift ought to be able to finish the day without risking their health or losing their life,"...
[Click here to see the rest of this post]
