Comment on Lack of training blamed for Hawkins factory death

SURGOINSVILLE — A state investigator concluded that lack of LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out) training on the part of team leaders led to the death of a Hawkins County factory worker who was crushed by machinery that engaged unexpectedly earlier this year. LOTO is a safety procedure used in industry to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or repair work. MIS Industries received five “serious” citations, resulting in a total fine of $20,300 in connection with the Feb.