Wednesday, September 01, 1999
Farm too small for inquiry in death
Worker killed in silo accident
BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
RIPLEY, Ohio — A Brown County dairy farm where a worker recently was killed won't face work-safety scrutiny from the state's OSHA because the farm's small size exempts it.
Ohio's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is required to investigate cases involving worker accidents and safety issues, and has the authority to fine companies not in compliance.
One of the few exemptions to OSHA jurisdiction is that employers must have 10 or more nonfamily year-round workers.
The Emmons farm on Martin Lane, where Keith Jones was killed in a silo Aug. 7, has eight or nine such workers, OSHA Assistant Area Director Dick Gilgrist said Tuesday.
Mr. Jones, 39, of Hartman Road in Ripley, was inside the silo bin used to store ground corn when his pants leg got caught in an auger and he was pulled down.
An auger is a large, spiral-shaped tool that moves grain out of a silo.
Mr. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
The fatality prompted an OSHA investigation, and it took several days to determine that the Emmons farm's work force was too small to require further investigation.
Brown County Sheriff Windell Crawford has said his department found no evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
That's typical of small family-run farms in the region, said Mr. Gilgrist, whose office handles 20 counties in and around southeast Ohio.
OSHA had encountered no previous cases involving the Emmons farm.
“We may have fatalities in agriculture from time to time, but most of time, we don't have jurisdiction because of the nature of family farms,” Mr. Gilgrist said.
He said fatalities at farm work sites are rare and that the “overwhelming majority” of cases are at farms with fewer than 10 nonfamily employees.
Prosecutor: Sheriff broke law when he sued Democratic Party
Thousands gather for vision of Mary
Ballpark job complex
Mary Love's killer could get death penalty
Death of infant begs for answers
Executive shot by son expected to recover fully
New rules on car seats begin today
A new tool in the search for breast cancer
Jury works on case of fliers
Second woman sues over employee dunking
Street succumbing to retail sprawl
Two CPS schools reborn
Annual luncheon celebrates survivors
Boutique caters to all women's health
Orange barrels demand a polka
T-shirt launches Tall Stacks poster
Art museum director plans outreach
Cincinnati's Century of Change
GET TO IT
Tristate scene: Gravelrama in Cleves
Summer promos can predict network bombs
Assault charge violated rights, suit says
Beiting steps down as chairman
Bicycle lanes to open in township
Cell-phone calls credited with limiting fire damage Fire damages antiques shop
Centenarian still raring to go
Comments sought on Ky. 16 plans
County leans on insurer to pay man for wreck
Discipline urged against officer
Farm too small for inquiry in death
Fluor Daniel must submit bid to finish Fernald cleanup
Laurel Homes residents fear displacement
Ludlow mayor won't back down
Man accused of kidnapping ex-wife
Northwest retiree takes post at Badin
Norwood man charged after traffic death
Pesticide found in garbage truck
Rose's ex-bookie accused of roughing up Springboro officer
Teller shot, wounded in West Carrollton bank robbery
Trenton school upgrades begin
TRISTATE DIGEST
United Way goal for N.Ky.: $3.5M
Ways to lessen airport noise being studied
