National Pipe in Vestal Cited for 16 Serious Safety Violations

National Pipe and Plastics  is being cited for sixteen serious safety violations following the March 22nd death of a contract truck driver who was hit by a forklift at the Vestal facility.

The Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration says, among its findings, National Pipe's forklift driver had an obstructed view of the pathway and the backup alarm on the equipment didn't work.

The truck driver, who did not work for National Pipe and who has not been identified, reportedly walked between the truck and the forklift and was pinned in the incident.

In addition to the alleged violations associated with the incident in March, OSHA has cited National Pipe for other issues including improper stairs and combustible dust on surfaces at the Vestal Road polyvinyl chloride pipe manufacturing plant.

OSHA is proposing a $67,000 fine.

National Pipe president Dave Culbertson calls the findings "without merit" and says the company will contest the citations. The company has fifteen business days in which to file the challenge or comply with OSHA's finding.

National Pipe is currently in the process of building a new facility in West Endicott and relocating the Vestal operations to the new plant.