Die Casting Co Fails to Provide Personal Protective Equipment to Employees

Mauston, WI (WorkersCompensation.com) - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Stroh Precision Die Casting for nine safety, including five repeat, violations at the company's Mauston facility. OSHA conducted an inspection in May as a follow-up to an August 2011 inspection that had resulted in citations for failing to provide appropriate protective equipment and train workers on hazardous chemicals, among other violations. Proposed fines for the most recent inspection total $51,590.

"Stroh Precision Die Casting is compromising the health and safety of its workers by allowing previously cited deficiencies to continue without correction," said Kim Stille, OSHA's area director in Madison. "Providing appropriate personal protective equipment and training to employees on its use is vital to their long-term safety and health. OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job."

Specifically, the repeat violations are failing to provide appropriate hand protection, require workers to wear face protection, train workers on the use of personal protective equipment, properly label chemicals in the workplace and train workers on hazardous chemicals. 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. Similar violations were cited based on the 2011 inspection.

Four serious safety violations involve failing to guard abrasive wheels, keep passageways clear from clutter, mount fire extinguishers and remove oil residue on floors to prevent workers from slipping. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Stroh Precision Die Casting employs about 90 workers at its Mauston facility. The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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