Proposed penalties total $50,000 following an inspection conducted under OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting Programme for industries with high injury and illness rates.
Patricia Jones, director of OSHA’s Avenel area office, said: “Not using proper safeguards leaves workers at risk of serious injury. Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure a safe and healthful workplace.”
The violations involve amputation and laceration hazards due to a lack of lockout procedures for the energy sources of specific equipment, and the improper adjustment of bench rests and guards on a bench grinder.
Similar violations were cited at the company’s Chicago facility in May and October 2008. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.
Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York, said: “Employers can take proactive steps alongside workers to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions by establishing an injury and illness prevention programme.”
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, ask for an informal conference with OSHA’s area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Source: OSHA
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