"workers were exposed to struck-by, crushing & amputation hazards.."

Government safety organizations were created to assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women. The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog has a recent story where an aluminium foundry was fined after failing a safety inspection by one such gov't agency. 

Because this company will have the opportunity to contest this fine, the APSB has left out the company name.

An aluminium foundry located in the Midwest United States has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for 14 safety and health violations, carrying proposed penalties of over $275,000 USD.

An inspection found workers were exposed to struck-by, crushing and amputation hazards at the aluminum die castings manufacturing facility.

One repeat violation was issued for failing to de-energize an industrial robot and implement lockout/tag out procedures before performing servicing and maintenance work on the equipment.

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. A similar violation was cited in April at the same facility.

Four willful violations involved:

1. Failing to develop lockout procedures for servicing and changing molds on various production cells

2. Prevent exposure to molten aluminum splash hazards from the melting furnace

3. Inspect chains on a daily basis and

4. Prevent use of an unapproved work platform to lift workers with the fork truck.

A willful violation is committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirement, or plain indifference to employee safety and health.

Eight serious violations involved

1. Failing to install guardrails near ovens and floor openings to prevent fall hazards,

2. Perform protective equipment assessments,

3. Require the use of face shields and hard hats,

4. Ensure adequate guarding on 20+ machines in the foundry areas

5. Provide lockout procedures

6. Ensure use of an electrical cabinet is protected from water

7. Label lifting devices with load capacities and

8. Provide safety data sheets to workers.

An OSHA violation is serious if death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard an employer knew or should have known existed.

The aluminium foundry was also cited for two other-than-serious violations;

1. for failing to have a hazard assessment certification and

2. no load rating sign above a storage area.

An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

This company had been cited for numerous violations. Some of the violations were previously cited on prior inspections. 

The APSB has posted incidents (not involving this company) involving a majority of the violations listed above. Each and everyone of these violations could result in a worker injury or fatality. 

So after reading this article what should you do? 

A. Laugh and say "I am sure glad I don't work there".
B. Print this article out and use these violations for a quick inspection of your facility.
C. Print this article out and place it in your bosses mailbox.

The answer is B. You should print this article out and use these violations for a quick inspection on your plant. Record your findings and make corrections as needed. 

Feel free to contact the APSB if you have any questions on remedies for the cited violations in this post. 

Please comment.