OSHA Fines Stellantis For Safety Violation After Tragic Jeep® Worker Death

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a serious citation to Stellantis following an investigation into a fatal accident at the Toledo Assembly Complex. The incident, which occurred on August 21, resulted in the death of 53-year-old Antonio Gaston, a United Auto Workers (UAW) employee, while working on the Jeep® Gladiator assembly line.

OSHA’s investigation revealed that the inverted IPF Chassis Delivery Conveyor system, used to transport vehicle chassis through workstations, lacked adequate guarding at pinch points. This failure exposed workers to potential hazards, including the risk of being caught between moving parts.

The specific pinch points identified in the citation were located at workstations 910R/910L and 911R/911L. These areas posed risks from steel trolley wheels, travel rail tracks, and vehicle hub assemblies. OSHA proposed a penalty of $16,131 for the safety violation.

“Employee safety is our highest priority, and we expect employers to provide robust protections to prevent tragic incidents like this,” OSHA stated in its citation.

Tragic Loss Of Antonio Gaston – 

On the day of the incident, Gaston was reportedly tightening undercarriage body bolts when he became caught under a moving vehicle on the assembly line. The Lucas County Coroner’s Office determined the cause of death as crushing injuries to the torso.

A statement from union steward Tru Parnham emphasized the impact of Gaston’s death on the community: “The memories we all have of ‘Tone’ are brightened by his permanent smile and joyous nature. We work to provide for our families, and our fallen brother tragically didn’t make it home to his.”

A fundraiser launched by a fellow Jeep worker highlighted Gaston’s devotion to his family, which includes his wife and four children.

Stellantis’ Response – 

In a statement, Stellantis expressed condolences to Gaston’s family and reiterated its commitment to workplace safety.

“We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Antonio Gaston,” Stellantis said. “There is nothing we take more seriously than the safety of our employees to ensure they return safely home at the end of their shift. We have robust safety measures in place in all our facilities and will continue to work with OSHA to resolve this case. Since this is a legal matter, we cannot comment further.”

Next Steps For Stellantis – 

The company has until December 17 to address the violation and implement corrective measures, including proper guarding for the conveyor system. Stellantis may contest the citation or seek an informal conference with OSHA to discuss the proposed penalty.

Source: WTOL 11