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Killed worker new to county's plant

Investigations into the fatality are under way, a county official says.

By LORRI HELFAND
Published July 16, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - A worker who was killed at Pinellas County's waste-to-energy plant had been on the job only five days but had received safety training, according to a county official.

Veolia Environmental Services, the operator of the plant since May, has released few details of how Anthony Jackson, 35, became entangled in machinery while shoveling ash onto a conveyor Saturday.

Bob Hauser, the county's Solid Waste Department director, said the plant manager had informed him of Jackson's service and training.

County officials plan to meet today with representatives from Veolia to learn more about the accident.

"Our main concern is that we find out what happened, why it happened and that they're taking proper safeguards to make sure it never happens again," Hauser said.

The county attempted to distance itself from responsibility for the incident.

"Veolia is the operator of the plant. They're responsible," Hauser said. "To the extent it's our plant, we don't want that to happen again."

The federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration is investigating the incident and Veolia is as well, Hauser said. The county plans to request reports of those investigations, but it is not pursuing a separate investigation at this time, he said.

Meanwhile, Veolia officials were saying little about the circumstances of the death or the plant's safety protocol. Early Sunday afternoon, facility manager Richard Taylor said he planned to issue a statement about the accident, but one had not been made available Sunday evening.

In November, Veolia outbid Wheelabrator Technologies, which previously ran the plant. "All three firms that bid on the project had excellent safety records," Hauser said.

He said the county reviews the safety records for the plant but does not sign off on them. "We just make sure they have a safety plan and a safety protocol. We don't approve it or certify it," Hauser said.

Hauser, who has worked for the county since 2003, said he wasn't aware of any other fatal accidents at the plant. He was informed that several years ago, before he worked for the county, a man was seriously burned there.

In 1998, the Times reported that a worker sustained electrical burns while installing high-voltage cable at the incinerator.

Little was learned Sunday about Jackson, who lived in shelters and got his job at the plant through Action Labor. Officials from the company would not answer questions about the accident.

"At this particular time, we have no comment and our condolences go out to the family," said Fred Williams, Action Labor branch manager.

At the home of his father, Eddie Jackson, a woman who answered the door said the family is not ready to talk about Jackson or the accident.

A former neighbor of Eddie Jackson's said he hadn't seen Anthony Jackson for years.

"He seemed like he was a nice person," said Anthony Davis, 43. "His father, Ed Jackson, is a God-fearing man. His stepmother is a good woman."

A woman who was waiting outside to offer her condolences refused to give her name, but said Anthony Jackson was trying to get his life back on track.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.

Davis said he hopes the matter is investigated thoroughly. "His parents deserve an answer," Davis said.

[Last modified July 15, 2007, 23:42:41]