Two workers injured in conveyor belt accident at Long Island recycling plant, one suffering serious injuries.
An incident involving a conveyor belt at a Long Island recycling facility left two workers injured on Monday morning. The mishap occurred at Earth-Tec Recycling in Oceanside, prompting immediate response from local rescue teams and Nassau County police.
Emergency responders extricated two employees who had become trapped beneath the roller system around 10:20 a.m. A 68-year-old male was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where he is currently listed in stable yet critical condition. His 62-year-old colleague sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was also treated at the same facility.
Specific details surrounding the incident remain unclear, as authorities have not disclosed how the accident transpired. The investigation continues, with safety officials aiming to determine the precise cause of the mishap. This incident is not isolated; conveyor belt-related accidents have been documented in various industries, raising concerns about workplace safety measures.
Conveyor belts are widely utilized in various industrial settings, and accidents involving these machines are prevalent. According to records from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), conveyor belt injuries have led to serious incidents nationwide. For instance, a tragic accident in 2016 at a concrete recycling plant in Oceanside resulted in the death of a 40-year-old worker due to similar equipment issues.
Further emphasizing the risks associated with conveyor systems, a 73-year-old employee at a recycling facility in Clifton, New Jersey, was crushed in November. Moreover, in September, a 35-year-old worker was killed in a separate conveyor-related incident in Farmingdale. Historical precedents highlight the potential dangers of conveyor systems; a 2009 incident at a Brooklyn sewage plant resulted in the death of a city worker due to a conveyor oversight, leading state labor authorities to label the violation as “willful.”
As investigations into the recent Long Island incident proceed, it remains essential for businesses to prioritize employee safety and adhere to established protocols to mitigate the risk of accidents. The ongoing scrutiny of workplace practices is crucial, particularly in industries where heavy machinery is integral to operations.
