MEC&F Expert Engineers : OSHA TAKES ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST SEVERAL COMPANIES FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS THAT LED TO WORKER DEATHS AND INJURIES

Monday, May 1, 2017

OSHA TAKES ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST SEVERAL COMPANIES FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS THAT LED TO WORKER DEATHS AND INJURIES



Wal-Mart and contractor cited after worker seriously injured at Alabama distribution center
Alabama
A contract worker was seriously injured when a trolley struck and crushed him inside the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Brundidge, Ala. OSHA cited Wal-Mart and the worker’s employer, Swisslog Logistics Inc., for serious and willful violations for exposing workers to caught-between, struck-by and crushing hazards and for failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures. Wal-Mart and Swisslog Logistics were proposed fines of $139,424 and $126,749, respectively.

Ohio manufacturer cited for not installing proper machine guarding following three amputations in two months
Ohio
OSHA issued multiple citations to Napoleon Spring Works Inc. in Archbold, Ohio, after three inspections initiated as a follow-up to a 2013 case and in response to two incidents, on Nov. 2 and Nov. 7 of last year, where employees suffered amputations. In just over two months, there were three amputations at the employer’s facility. The follow-up inspection found that the company had abated the specific hazards cited in 2013, but failed to apply those same safety requirements to other pieces of equipment at the same facility. In these three most recent inspections, OSHA cited the company for violations related to mechanical power press operation, hazardous energy control, machine guarding, electrical safe work practices, and forklift training.

Texas lab cited for exposing workers to silica, combustible dust, chemical and other hazards
Texas
Durcon Inc. has been issued citations for 35 safety and health violations. OSHA inspected the Taylor, Texas, chemical resistant coatings manufacturer in response to a complaint about silica exposure. Inspectors also found other violations including: workers exposed to being struck by falling loads; failing to provide workers with personal protective equipment and effective respiratory protection; combustible waste materials soaked with flammable liquids stored in improper receptacles; and failing to implement a confined spaces program.


Nevada
Nevada cites employer for exposing workers to fall hazards
The Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Clay Davis in Carson City for exposing workers to fall hazards. Nevada OSHA inspectors concluded that the company failed to provide proper fall protection for two employees working on a low slope roof 10 feet above a lower level. The violations included failure to provide guardrails, safety nets, personal fall arrest equipment, as well as warning line and safety monitoring systems. The company was previously cited for violations of this standard in 2015 and 2016.

California
California cites company for safety violations following fatal forklift incident
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health cited Good View Roofing & Building Supply Corp. in San Francisco after a worker died when his forklift tipped over the unguarded edge of a ramp. Cal/OSHA inspectors determined that the company failed to inspect and identify workplace hazards, provide clearly written safety instructions on forklifts, and ensure that all workers comply with forklift safety requirements. For more information, read the news release.