Plant cited by OSHA for confined space, other violations

An Ohio manufacturer faces proposed penalties of more than $115,000 for allegedly exposing workers to confined space hazards and other dangers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said in a statement Monday.

An OSHA inspector visited an Oxford, Ohio, production facility for Schneider Electric USA after a January 2021 complaint and cited the company for 11 serious safety and health violations. The inspector found that machine operators and maintenance employees entered ovens without testing the atmospheric conditions or securing natural gas lines, which puts them at risk of asphyxiation hazards in the confined spaces, OSHA said.

The inspector also cited the plant for lockout/tagout violations, fall hazards, lack of an adequate respiratory protection program, fall hazards and failure to train employees.

Schneider has 15 days to appeal the citations and penalties.