Indiana contractor fined for fatal accident involving concrete planter

An Indiana contractor has been charged with a serious violation after an employee was killed while cleaning a concrete pourer last fall.

Rodolfol Nuñez, 49, was cleaning the augers of a Gomaco PS-2600 placer/spreader at a construction site along US 20 in Goshen, Indiana on October 16, 2023, when he became trapped between the two augers and suffered fatal injuries.

According to the IOSHA report, it is common practice to clean the machine with a high-pressure cleaner after use with the auger running. The machine will not be locked/flag or shut down during the process.

Because there are no guards or other protective measures in place to prevent an employee from becoming trapped between the augers, OSHA says employers should “provide, train, and enforce the use of lockout procedures/devices and/or secure the Gomaco Concrete Placer.” “The cleaning process is switched off/no power.”

Milestone Contractors, an Indianapolis-based paving, heavy construction, asphalt paving, concrete paving and site development general contractor, faces a $7,000 serious violation penalty for failing to provide a workspace and workspace free of approved conditions Dangers were or could cause death or serious physical harm to employees.