"employer did not take the steps necessary to keep workers safe..."

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 company 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.

For exposing workers to struck-by, electrical and unguarded machine hazards, an aluminium company in the Southern United States is being cited for 13 safety violations by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Proposed penalties total €38,000.

Initiated as part of the agency’s Site-Specific Targeting Program for industries with high injury and illness rates, the investigation by OSHA’s area office resulted in citations issued for failure to:

1.   Secure compressed gas cylinders,

2.   Provide strain relief on electrical circuits,

3.   Repair damaged welding cables.

The company also failed:

1.   To enclose or guard sprockets and chains located seven feet or less from the floor

2.   To keep workers from being struck-by aluminum metal chips from an unguarded machine and grinders.

These OSHA regulations are frequently violated by employers. 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.

“Where machine guarding and electrical hazards are concerned, making the necessary changes to comply with OSHA standards can mean the difference between life and death,” said the OSHA’s area director. “This employer did not take the steps necessary to keep workers safe during the performance of their daily duties.”

The aluminum refinery that produces secondary ingot, slab and sow, has 15 business days from receipt of its citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

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. Sadly, the APSB has posted incidents involving fatalities that dealt with several of these violations.

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.