OSHA cites Ohio manufacturer following worker death
Reprints
An aluminum parts manufacturer in Ohio with a history of safety violations faces $1.7 million in penalties for 38 safety and health violations following a federal investigation into the death of a 43-year-old worker struck by a machine's barrier door in March.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said General Aluminum Manufacturing Co. allowed employees at its Ravenna/Rootstown plant to bypass guarding mechanisms designed to protect employees from the barrier door closing on them and that a malfunction in the door's optic control existed prior to the deadly incident. The worker was loading a part into the machine when the barrier door closed on his head, according to an OSHA statement issued Monday.
In addition, OSHA's investigation identified problems with machine guarding and a lack of protective procedures – commonly known as lockout/tagout – throughout the facility. OSHA said General Aluminum was aware of these problems and failed to address them adequately.
The company also failed to protect employees from burn and explosion hazards caused by pooled water on the floor, provide personnel with appropriate protective equipment, train workers adequately about hazards and safety procedures, record employee training and develop emergency action plans, OSHA said.
OSHA cited the company for four repeat, 18 willful and 16 serious safety and health violations and placed it in the agency's Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
The company could not immediately be reached for comment.
