On Saturday, 60 year old Superior Ronald L. Hackensmith was working alone on a ship docked in Milwaukee when his arm was chopped off by a conveyer belt, getting completely severing it all the way up to the shoulder.
The ship was the SS St. Mary’s Challenger, which had more than 9,000 tons of cement. Hackensmith was working by himself near the conveyer belt, three decks below the main deck when the work-related accident happened around 9:15pm.
According to the ship logs, there was a hydraulic oil leak. Hackensmith knew of the leak and had asked other crew members to shut down the engine and restart it. After the crew members had done what he said, Hackensmith requested yet another shutdown which the log failed to show. Though it is known that the engine was restarted and running when Hackensmith was injured.
Investigators have listed the suggested manner of death as an accident, however Milwaukee police are investigating deeper.
If you relate to this story or know someone that has been injured or killed while working on a vessel or ship at sea, contact the lawyers at V&B for free information and help.
Category: Work Related Accidents
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