Blount County, AL — An industrial accident at a railroad tie company in Warrior claimed the life of a 34-year-old employee on Monday, September 12, 2011. The fatal workplace accident occurred around 3:30 p.m. at the Stella Jones Corporation, which is formally known as Tangent Rail, as reported by FOX6 WBRC.
According to officials, Stella Jones Corporation employee Shannon Todd Sullins was killed when his left arm became entrapped in piece of machinery, which is run by both hydraulics and electricity. Sullins was fatally injured when he was unable to escape when an upper portion of the machinery lowered onto him.
The coroner reported that a sign on the machinery that killed Sullins said "Do not operate machine while doors are open." Apparently there were no doors on the machine to even have to option to open or close, because they were removed and stacked in a corner. The doors had reportedly been removed in February.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the fatal workplace accident.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Alabama workplace accident lawyers.
