A Huntsville countertop installation company has been fined $29,035 for safety violations following an investigation into the death in March of a worker.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found Huntsville Granite and Marble could have prevented the death of John Hopper, 33, if it had followed federal safety standards.

Hopper died after being struck by a stone slab weighing thousands of pounds. Investigators found that employees were using a forklift to take stone slabs off a storage rack, when the slab became unsecured and struck the worker.

OSHA found that an improperly secured load and a damaged rigging hook with a missing safety latch contributed to the incident.

A representative of Huntsville Granite and Marble said the company had no comment.

Other safety violations included:

• Failing to develop and institute safe procedures, including worker training, for moving stone slabs.
• Permitting workers to use a damaged rigging hook missing the safety latch.
• Allowing workers to use worn and damaged security straps.
• Failing to ensure forklift attachments were manufacturer approved.
• Neglecting to evaluate forklift operators’ performance at least every three years.

OSHA Area Office Director Joel Batiz said, “this tragedy could have been avoided.”

“We call on employers to make workplace safety a priority and use OSHA resources to safeguard their employees,” Batiz said.

The penalties issued were according to federal statutes.

Huntsville Granite and Marble has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the findings.