Tacoma lumber company fined $87,000 for safety violations after worker dies



TUMWATER, Wash. (AP) — State safety regulators have fined the Manke Lumber Co. in Tacoma for 25 serious and 11 general safety and health violations after a worker died.

The Department of Labor & Industries says the fines topped $87,000.

The agency launched an investigation after Jeffrey Busha was killed in December. He died when his clothing was caught by a rotating shaft that pulled him into a conveyor as he tried to loosen jammed lumber.

The violations included failing to safeguard exposed shafts at four locations, including where Busha died.

They were fined for not ensuring grinders were guarded and cited for 12 violations for confined space hazards.

Additional penalties were assessed for violations that included failing to guard moving parts on belt sanders, bandsaws, sprocket wheels, and pulleys.

The company has 15 business days to appeal.