Ep 12. Waste Mis-Management

In Forensic Files season 15 episode 12, titled "Waste Mis-Management," viewers are taken through an investigation into the death of a young man named Patrick Gallagher. Patrick was a recent graduate of college and had just begun working at a waste management facility in Massachusetts. One day, he was found by a coworker lying face down in a pit filled with tar-like material. According to his coworkers, Patrick had been working on a machine that separated materials when he suddenly disappeared. After a search, he was found submerged in the pit.

Initially, the death was believed to be accidental, but as the investigation unfolded, it became clear that there was more to the story. The police discovered that the waste management facility had a history of violating safety protocols and that equipment was often faulty. Additionally, many of the chemicals that the facility dealt with were extremely hazardous and required special handling.

As the investigation progressed, it was revealed that Patrick's death was not an accident but was actually a result of the negligence of his employer. The waste management facility had failed to properly train Patrick and his coworkers on the proper use of the machinery and safety protocols. Additionally, the facility had failed to provide adequate safety equipment, such as respirators and protective clothing, that would have prevented Patrick from inhaling dangerous chemicals.

The investigation into Patrick's death also revealed that the waste management facility had been falsifying records and purposely misleading regulators about their safety protocols. The company had been cited numerous times for safety violations, yet they continued to operate without making any significant changes.

Through forensic evidence and witness testimony, the police were able to piece together the events that led to Patrick's death. It was concluded that he died from a combination of drowning and exposure to hazardous chemicals and that his death was a direct result of the waste management facility's negligence.

"Waste Mis-Management" is an episode that highlights the importance of workplace safety and the consequences of failing to follow proper protocols. It also sheds light on the lack of regulation in the waste management industry and the dangers that workers face on a daily basis. Ultimately, the episode is a reminder that companies have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and that failure to do so can have tragic consequences.