Contract worker killed in Dalton accident

A man was killed Thursday night at a Dalton, Ga., property owned by Marketing Alliance Group after what authorities said was an industrial accident.

Larue Properties rents a space at 400 Cross Plains Blvd. in Dalton from Marketing Alliance. The site housed a large industrial machine, according to Michael Arnold, a human resources representative with Marketing Alliance.

Larue Properties contracted Spartan Industrial Contracting to dismantle and transport the machine, and during that process an accident occurred that resulted in the death of a Spartan employee, according to Arnold.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has opened an investigation. The victim's name has not been released.

OSHA's records show that the Marketing Alliance Group has had three previous safety violations, but there is no record of any serious injuries.

In 2012, Marketing Alliance Group was issued two violations that were classified as serious. One was for violating a sanction that states, "the point of operation of machines whose operation exposes an employee to injury, shall be guarded."

The second violation involved a sanction that reads, "flexible cords and cables shall be connected to devices and fittings so that strain relief is provided that will prevent pull from being directly transmitted to joints or terminal screws."

In March of this year, Marketing Alliance Group was reported for violating a sanction that states injuries and illnesses must be recorded for any employee who is supervised on a day-today basis by the company.

Larue Properties and Spartan Industrial Contracting did not return several calls Friday afternoon seeking comment.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.

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