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OSHA Proposes More Than $63,000 In Penalties Against Hope Hull Manufacturer For Willful Violations
20 Apr, 2010 WorkersCompensation.com
An inspection in October 2009 began after an employee sustained an amputation of three fingers on one hand. The investigation revealed that the company had violated OSHA standards by failing to provide proper machine guarding. The employer allowed the light curtains, an invisible infra-red beam used for employee protection, to be overridden and remain inoperable for a period of two years. If the light curtain had been operating correctly, the amputation could have been avoided.
As a result, OSHA is proposing one willful violation carrying $49,000 in proposed penalties. The agency defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
Seven serious violations, with proposed penalties of $14,700, included open-sided floors, electrical hazards, other machine guarding deficiencies and failure to label stop buttons.
"If the employer had implemented the recommended safety procedures by having proper machine guarding on equipment, these needless injuries could have been avoided," said Kurt Petermeyer, OSHA's area director in Mobile.
The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The site was inspected by staff from OSHA's Mobile Area Office, 1141 Montlimar Drive, Suite 10006; telephone 251-441-6131.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.
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