OSHA finds Faria Beede Instruments Inc., a Connecticut gauge manufacturer, exposing workers to amputation, crushing and electrical hazards

U.S. Department of Labor | July 29, 2016

OSHA finds Faria Beede Instruments Inc., a Connecticut gauge manufacturer, exposing workers
to amputation, crushing and electrical hazards
Faria Beede Instruments Inc. faces $44K in fines for 11 serious violations

HARTFORD, Conn. Federal workplace safety and health inspectors cited an Uncasville manufacturer that makes tachometers and speed-measuring devices for 11 serious violations, including obvious amputation, crushing, and electrical hazards.

The Hartford Area Office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected Faria Beede Instruments, Inc. as part of its national emphasis program to reduce workplace machine and equipment hazards which are causing or likely to cause amputations. The company is located at 385 Norwich-New London Turnpike.

"Moving machine parts can cause severe workplace injuries - such as crushed fingers or hands and amputations - if they are not guarded to prevent contact. Unguarded power presses and saws put Faria Beede Instruments' manufacturing facility employees at risk of such injuries," said Warren Simpson, OSHA's area director for Hartford. "An employer that ensures required guards are in place and effective can prevent worker injuries. Faria Beede is responsible for correcting these conditions before disabling or deadly injuries occur."

In its inspection on May 16, 2016, OSHA discovered the company failed to:

• Ensure that the guard on a power press prevented entry of hands or fingers into the point of operation.
• Install a spreader on hand-fed circular rip saw to prevent wood from striking the operator.
• Ensure a mechanical power press had a single stroke safety mechanism to prevent unintended operation.
• Ensure that pressure vessels used in conjunction with power presses had pressure relief valves.
• Provide guards for a mechanical power press using sensing point of operation devices.
• Ensure barrier guard openings on mechanical power presses did not exceed maximum allowable dimensions.
• Prevent the hand-control device and point of operation on a mechanical press from being too close.
• Develop or implement an inspection program for mechanical power presses.
• Close openings in electrical panels that exposed workers to live parts.
• Prevent flexible cords and cables from being used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.
• Ensure maintenance workers were trained regarding what work practices and protective equipment would safeguard them from electric shock hazards.

The citations, which carry $44,100 in proposed penalties, can be viewed here.
Established in 1956, Faria Beede Instruments Inc. manufactures analog and digital gauges for industrial, recreational use in automobiles and boats in Uncasville and Penacook, New Hampshire. The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA's area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint or report workplace hospitalizations, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Hartford Area Office at 860-240-3152.

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 http://www.osha.gov.

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The Faria Beede Instruments, Inc. has been manufacturing gauges in Uncasville, CT for more than 50 years (established in 1956) and has grown from a company that primarily produced tachometers for the marine and auto industries to one that today offers a multitude of analog and digital engine monitoring instrumentation to a wide range of global markets.

Over the years, the company has transitioned from an electric and mechanical gauge manufacturer to an ISO9001 electronic hardware and software design company with in-house pick and place assembly lines for surface mount technology (SMT) circuitry.

With some of the most sophisticated vehicle information and instrumentation systems in the industry, and a range of products that are rugged enough to survive on a military Humvee and heavy construction equipment, or with innovative styling for your boat or RV, Faria Beede Instruments, Inc. has the right products to meet future global needs for rugged, reliable, and innovative instrumentation.

With the recent purchase of Beede Instruments of Penacook, NH (established in 1917), Faria Beede Instruments, Inc. has expanded our manufacturing capabilities to offer a broader product offering, unsurpassed value and design for all of our markets, including the US Military, industrial, recreational and majority of the world's leading boat manufacturers.
Gauges for Automotive, Commercial, Industrial, Recreational,
Performance, Marine and Military vehicles.