OSHA determines Rawhide Western Town worker died due to safety failures
The work-related death of a Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse employee has led to the U.S. Department of Labor citing the business's operators with a little more than $20,000 in fines.
"A federal investigation determined the fatality could have been prevented if the employer had implemented required safety measures," read a statement Tuesday from the labor department, which described the incident as a "tragedy."
Upon "serious" safety violations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposed $20,302 in penalties on Wild Horse Pass Development Center, which operates the theme-park business located at the Gila River Indian Community, according to the press release.
An investigation by OSHA determined that a 30-year-old person died at an area hospital after being severely injured while working during the early hours of Feb. 25 at Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse.
The employee was driving on a cargo scooter and ran into a nylon tow strap strung across the opening of a damaged gate, according to the press release.
"The strap was hung to try to keep the damaged gate closed," read the news release.
The Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse is located at the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler and is operated by the Wild Horse Pass Development Center, according to the press release.
OSHA found Wild Horse Pass Development Center "exposed workers to serious injuries from struck-by hazards by failing to ensure the gate arm and strap were adequately reflective, and by failing to erect appropriate signage alerting drivers to the road closure and detour," read the press release.
Per safety standards, barricades and gate closures must be "clearly marked" with reflective materials topped with vertical stripes along its entire length, the press release continued. The company also did not train its workers on safe cargo scooter operation and use, according to the press release.
“A worker’s life was lost because Wild Horse Pass failed to follow federal safety requirements,” said T. Zachary Barnett, the Phoenix-area OSHA director. “Employers are legally obligated to ensure a safe and healthful workplace and train workers on the hazards they may face so that they can return home safely at the end of each workday.”
The labor department did not disclose the employee's identity.
The company has 15 business days to comply, request a talk with the OSHA area director, or contest the findings before the OSHA review commission, the news release noted.
The Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse, also branded as Rawhide Western Town and Event Center, sits on 160 acres and includes an Old West theme town and a multi-use sports stadium, according to information on its website.
"The Wild Horse Pass Development Authority ("WHPDA") and the Rawhide team continue to grieve the loss of one of our team members," read a Monday afternoon statement from the business. "As we have since February, we have done everything possible to ensure the safety of our workers and guests."
The statement went on to say the business received OSHA's citation on Aug. 8 and a response from the company regarding that citation is forthcoming, with the intention to fully cooperate with the agency.
"We have taken comprehensive measures to ensure worker safety, to improve procedures and to abate issues with traffic control. This remains a top priority, and we intend to do everything in our power to make sure such an incident never happens again," the statement concluded.
Reach breaking news reporter Jose R. Gonzalez at jose.gonzalez@gannett.com or on Twitter @jrgzztx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: OSHA cites Rawhide Western Town safety failures left worker dead
