OSHA fines Chicopee Concrete Service after Westfield man died on job in Greenfield
CHICOPEE — Chicopee Concrete Service is facing a $57,925 fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration after the death of a worker on the job for the concrete supplier.
On Jan. 24, the Chicopee Concrete Service worker from Westfield fell into a sand silo and died at the site where the company mixes dry ingredients on Cleveland Street in Greenfield. He was later identified as Matthew Nedorostek, 65. He worked for Chicopee Concrete for more than three decades, according to his obituary .
The OSHA investigation, closed in July, found that the worker was trying to fix a clogged hopper.
"The employee attempted to clear the blockage by using a long rebar pole," the investigation said. "He fell into the hopper during this process and was fatally injured from asphyxiation after he was engulfed by aggregate."
Co-workers called for help after Nedorostek stopped responding to radio calls, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said earlier this year. Numerous first responders went to the scene, and hours later, his body was recovered.
The OSHA investigation found a number of serious violations, including lack of training and exposing employees to fall hazards. OSHA also found the company didn't inspect scaffolding stairs to the facility's roof, and that there were no signs about the suffocation hazard of working in or near 24-foot-tall bins.
"On or about January 24, 2025, and at times prior, employees were exposed to fall hazards of approximately 24 feet above a lower level when performing work activities on a walking surface with a guardrail system installed, but no mid-rail or equivalent member installed between the walking surface and the top rail," the report says.
Chicopee Concrete Services has contested the violations and fines, OSHA records show.
When reached Thursday, a company spokesperson declined to comment.
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