American Samizdat

Friday, October 27, 2006. *
How much is a human life worth? Well, according to Macsteel Service Center USA, the value is something less than $2500. That's the amount of a fine that the Indiana Occupational Health & Safety Administration (IOSHA) imposed after David Pineda, a worker in the company's Hammond, Indiana, plant, died as a result of being crushed by falling steel beams. IOSHA concluded that unsafe workplace conditions, including the company's failure to implement a training program for crane operators, were responsible for the accident.

This is how the company describes itself on its own website:
As a single entity, Macsteel Service Centers USA has the strength of a billion dollar organization. That's the kind of clout we can use to bring our customers considerable benefits, including outstanding sourcing, a diverse and value-added product line, more flexibility in scheduling and competitive pricing.
Yet, this "billion dollar organization" is unwilling to pay a paltry $2500 to atone for killing one of its employees. I wonder if they even bothered to wipe the blood off the steel beams before delivering them to the customer?

(Thanks to Confined Space for the tip.)
posted by The Continental Op at 11:00 AM
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