EAU CLAIRE, Wisc. — Clayton Park was tragically killed in a workplace accident Oct. 19 at American Phoenix, Inc. in Banbury Place.
Mr. Park was trapped by heavy machinery for at least five minutes before co-workers discovered him and removed him from the machine, according to a local news report. Officials with the Eau Claire Police Department said emergency personnel transported him to a nearby hospital where he later died.
First responders were dispatched to the facility at about 3:45 a.m. but a train blocking the roads around the building delayed their arrival.
OSHA opened an investigation into Mr. Park’s death. No additional details on the investigation have been released.
COMMENTARY ON WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS
I am troubled to learn of Mr. Park’s tragic on-the-job accident. Had a train not delayed first responder progress, would the victim still be alive? We will never know.
Generally speaking, his occupation is a relatively safe one. According to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fatal work injuries in the Wholesale Trade industry number among the lowest of all industries in the nation, accounting for only 178 fatalities in 2019. However, Mr. Parks was one of the unfortunate ones. One has to wonder what went wrong.
Working in the wee hours of the morning, perhaps fatigue was a contributing factor. On the other hand, there is a possibility that there was a machinery malfunction. Whether human error or mechanical failure, we will have to wait for OSHA’s investigative report to learn more details. Based on the minimal details in the news report, it is difficult to determine what caused the mishap. How heartbreaking that this man’s life has been cut short due to an ill-fated work-related disaster.
I have seen much of the heartbreak caused by fatal work accidents over the last three decades in my profession as a personal injury attorney, having represented many families in similar situations. I will continue to do what I can to raise awareness about the dangers of workplace accidents.
I extend my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones that Mr. Parks has left behind.
Disclaimer: At Ammons Law, we are constantly seeking to improve the quality and safety of our roads and highways. We post these articles to help improve safety within our community. All of the information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
