The Arkansas Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health has completed their investigation into the death of Helena-West Helena employee Sydney “Bubba” Alice. Alice was struck by a vehicle and killed while working June 18.
The agency conducted their investigation into the fatality on July 2 and sent their findings to the city.
On Wednesday, Mayor James Valley released the findings to the public.
The state department said a “serious hazard” existed because the city did not “furnish equipment which was safe for employees” nor did the city furnish equipment that protected the “life, health, safety and welfare of such employees.”
The department cited state code 11-2-117(a), which outlines rules for a safe place of employment. Alice was reportedly blowing grass clippings when the accident occurred and the department recommended that the city implement corrective actions such as requiring all employees exposed to traffic hazards to wear orange safety vests.
The city was cited for a second offense for not notifying the state department of labor about the fatality in a timely manner. The department recommended that the city notify the department every time an injury occurs promptly, which is outlined in the standard basic safety manual under rule three.
Charles Ferguson conducted the investigation and reported that he found that the city did not practice the elimination of preventable accidents by training and educating employees to protect themselves or fellow employees. The report said the city did not have a documented safety and health program for employees, which are set out in the standard basic safety manual under Article 7, Rule G.
The department recommended that the city provide the proper safety and training for employees. The report gave detailed information about policy that the city does not have in place and recommended that Helena-West Helena develop a safety and health program including implementing safety meetings, safety inspections, fire drill reports, and a documentation system.
A seven-step accident prevention plan was given to Valley after the initial investigation. Several report forms were given to the city that must be filled out when various jobs are contracted out or performed by city workers.
The city was given until Sept. 15 for the corrective measures to be in place.