OSHA, Mississippi pipe maker reach settlement in fatality

The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with a Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi, steel pipe manufacturer with a history of safety failures to pay $442,815 in penalties and correct conditions that led to a 25-year-old employee’s fatal injuries in January 2024.

An investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration found Jindal Tubular USA LLC had not established safe practices for storing and stacking pipes, resulting in a tragic incident where 2,000-pound pipes collapsed, fatally injuring one worker and causing life-altering injuries to a 20-year-old laborer, who subsequently lost both legs, according to a statement issued Friday.

OSHA cited the company for failing to ensure stacked pipes were stable and secure against collapse. Inspectors also identified three repeat violations that included failing to provide machine guarding, inspect or test electrical insulating protective gloves periodically, and prevent slipping hazards. In addition, the company was cited for 26 serious violations that included failing to ensure guardrails or covers were in place at open pits to protect employees from fall hazards, allowing accumulation of combustible dust on surfaces and failing to label exit doors to facilitate safe egress in the event of a fire.

As part of the agreement negotiated by OSHA and the Office of the Solicitor, Jindal Tubular USA will withdraw its challenge to the citations. The company has been ordered to complete several corrective actions, including hiring a professional third-party consultant to develop a comprehensive safety and health program that the employer will implement for all workers within 30 days, according to the DOL.