AMES, Iowa — A former employee is suing the Union Pacific Railroad for failing to provide a safe environment and a safety training program and for not preventing injuries, the Ames Tribune reported.
Mark S. Grommet claims in documents filed last month in Story County District Court the railroad company is responsible for back and hip problems caused by repetitive motions from machines and tools he operated daily.
A Union Pacific spokesman declined comment.
Grommet is seeking monetary rewards for physical and mental distress, discomfort, partial disability, medical expenses, wage loss and partial loss of enjoyment of life.
Grommet says he was required “to complete tasks which involved repetitive motions causing cumulative trauma caused by various machines, machinery, tools and equipment” owned by Union Pacific Railroad.
Court documents say he was unaware and not made aware of the cumulative effects that his work-required tasks were having on his body until three years ago.
Grommet claims Union Pacific should have provided a safe working environment and a safety training program, taken steps to protect employees from foreseeable dangers, monitored employees’ health and warned them of potential health risks.