Forklift Operator Killed At Oakland Recycling Firm Identified
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- A forklift operator killed in an accident at a plastic recycling company in Oakland has been identified as Eduardo Martinez Barajas, 34, according to the Alameda County coroner's bureau.
Barajas, an Oakland resident, was killed Thursday morning at Super Link Plastics Inc. while he was using one forklift to lift up and service a second forklift, according to Cal/OSHA. The second forklift fell down and crushed his head.
Oakland police said they received a 911 call from the company at 888 92nd Ave. about the accident at 9:43 a.m. on Thursday. Barajas was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Cal/OSHA will investigate whether Super Link Plastics implemented adequate safety measures and training for its forklift operations. The agency has six months to complete its probe.
Cal/OSHA spokesman Peter Melton said two routine violations were issued to the company after a routine inspection in November 2011 for minor seat belt and electrical issues. The agency proposed a $395 fine but the company has challenged the findings.
He said a Super Link Plastic worker sprained his ankle when he fell while disposing of garbage at a public garbage facility on May 2, 2011, but after Cal/OSHA investigated the matter it decided not to cite the company.
According to its website, Super Link Plastics was founded in 1993 "with a vision of increasing the value of recyclable scrap."
Its mission is "to become a leading innovative waste solutions company in the United States," and the company claims to recycle an average of 80 million pounds of waste a year.
Its customers include public companies, medium and large private companies, small businesses, government, health care businesses and colleges and universities, according to the website.
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