over $150,000 in penalties.....

Government safety organizations are there to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. Here is a recent news article of the enforcement aspect of a government safety organization.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited aluminium window and  for exposing employees to amputation, noise, struck-by and other safety and health hazards at the manufacturing facility. The window and door manufacturer faces over $150,000 in penalties.

OSHA cited the company for the following: 

• lack of machine guarding, 
• failing to develop and implement a hazardous energy control program, 
• improperly storing and handling flammable materials, 
• electric shock hazards. 

Other violations include:

• failing to provide an effective hearing conservation program and adequate personal protective equipment, 
• not anchoring machinery, 
• exposing employees to slip and trip hazards. 

OSHA conducted the inspection as part of the National Emphasis Program on Amputations.

"Employers are required by law to protect the safety and health of their workers," said local OSHA Area Office Director. "OSHA offers compliance assistance resources and specialists that can help employers identify and correct hazards in their workplaces."

OSHA has available resources on how employers can control the release of hazardous energy and how to protect workers from unguarded machines.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed 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.

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 ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit https://www.osha.gov.

The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

We are thankful that no worker was injured or killed at this company which would have resulted in an OSHA inspection. This inspection was in performed in association on a program to prevent amputations. 

The Aluminium Plant Safety Blog’s policy regarding safety fines is not to name the company. Why? Because the company cited has the right to contest the fines.

Every hazard that the manufacturing company was cited for could have resulted in a serious injury or fatality. We pray this manufacturing company will look at these citations and monetary fine as a learning tool. In our experience the monetary fine issued by OSHA is cheaper than the cost of a serious injury or fatality that could have resulted by one or more of the hazards.

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