OSHA Levies $175K in Fines in Fatal Crane Accident

A federal safety agency has levied $175,000 in fines against a crane company, Entergy and other firms over a fatal crane accident at Arkansas Nuclear One in Russellville.

The Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration levied the fines on Friday over the death last March of 24-year-old Wade Walters, who was killed when a crane collapsed. Eight others were injured.

The agency listed 26 alleged violations against Precision Surveillance Corp., Bigge Crane and Rigging Co., Siemens Power Generation Inc. and Entergy Operations Inc. The companies can contest the findings.

OSHA Area Director Carlos Reynolds says Walters’ death could have been prevented had the work been properly planned, with appropriate safeguards.

Walters’ mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Her son was killed when a crane lifting a 525-ton piece of equipment collapsed.