The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has settled workplace safety violations with a Texas pottery company after the death of an assistant plant manager, with the company agreeing to a penalty of $545,160.
On April 16, OSHA investigators determined that the manager was servicing a kiln and became trapped inside when it activated and cited Marshall, Texas-based Marshall Pottery Inc. for six willful violations and 21 serious violations. Citations were issued following OSHA’s investigation into failures to implement confined space and lockout/tagout programs.
“This company was cited for similar violations in 2008 after another fatality at the plant,” OSHA Area Director Basil Singh in Dallas said in a statement. “Failures to implement lockout/tagout and confined space programs are unacceptable. Employers must use all required safeguards and procedures to prevent the recurrence of similar tragedies.”
A company spokesperson could not be immediately reached for comment.
An administrative law judge of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has vacated two citations issued by federal safety and health regulators against a Florida contractor involving a workplace fatality.