Robert Morales, owner of Rancho Auto Service & Smog, in Temecula, CA, was killed when the rear of a vehicle he was servicing slipped off the lift. The California Occupational Safety & Health Administration has said no inquiry will be conducted because Morales owned the business. Cal/OSHA only investigates when employees are hurt on the job.
Below is the article as it appeared on The Valley News website.
Identity of auto shop owner crushed by vehicle has been released by authorities
Friday, December 17th, 2010
TEMECULA – The name of the owner of a Temecula auto shop owner crushed to death today while working underneath a vehicle has been released by authorities.
Robert Morales, 63, of Hemet, was repairing a car on a hydraulic lift when the rear of the vehicle slipped off the lift and fell on him around 8:40 a.m. at Rancho Auto Service & Smog, 27591 Commerce Center Drive, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Morales died at the scene.
The California Occupational Safety & Health Administration (Cal/OSHA) sent an investigator, but because Morales owned the business, no inquiry will be conducted, said Cal/OSHA spokeswoman Krisann Chasarik.
She said that under the agency’s guidelines, an investigation is warranted only when an employee of a business is hurt or killed on the job, or otherwise exposed to unnecessary danger.
To read the entire article, visit The Valley News website at http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/53195/.
