Tuesday, October 16, 2018

OSHA ENFORCEMENT ACTION: SEVERAL EMPLOYERS CITED FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SAFE CONDITIONS AND TRAINING TO WORKERS RESULTING IN INJURIES OR DEATH


ENFORCEMENT


Texas state icon
U.S. Postal Service Cited for Safety Violations at Austin Facility
An employee at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in Austin, Texas, was injured after being ejected from a forklift. OSHA cited the postal service for failing to ensure that forklift operators obeyed traffic regulations. The postal service was also cited for exposing employees to tripping hazards, and failing to label electrical panels and breakers. USPS faces penalties totaling $224,858. Read the news release for more information. For information about forklift safety see OSHA's QuickCard.

New Jersey state icon
New Jersey Pet Food Manufacturer Cited for Failure to Correct Workplace Hazards
OSHA cited Hamiltime Herb Co, LLC, for safety and health violations after conducting a follow-up investigation where a worker had four fingers amputated by a batch mixer. The company faces $152,829 in penalties for failing to develop a lockout/tagout program, provide machine guarding, develop a respiratory protection program, and train workers to operate a forklift. For more information, read the news release.

Ohio state icon
Ohio Manufacturer Cited for Machine Guarding Violations after Employee Injury
American Excelsior Co., was cited for machine guarding violations after an employee's arm was crushed while removing product build-up from a machine. The company was cited for failing to implement procedures to prevent unintentional machine start-up, and train employees on energy control procedures. OSHA issued penalties of $213,411. Read the news release for more information.

Wisconsin state icon
Wisconsin Refinery Cited for Failing to Control Hazardous Chemicals
OSHA cited Superior Refining Co., LLC, for failing to control the use and release of highly hazardous chemicals after an explosion and fire at the company's plant injured several employees. Superior Refining faces $83,150 in penalties. Inspectors cited the refinery for eight serious violations of OSHA's process safety management procedures. For more information, read the news release.

Washington state icon
Washington Cites Construction Company for Trenching and Excavation Hazards
The Washington Division of Occupational Safety and Health issued six citations and $126,400 in penalties to Colf Construction for exposing workers to trenching and excavation hazards during a highway bridge project. Inspectors determined that the company failed to ensure that workers were protected from cave-ins, conduct daily excavation inspections, remove workers from hazardous areas, and provide safe exits from excavations. Read the news release for more information.

Hawaii state icon
Hawaii Cites Electrical Contractor for Safety and Health Violations
The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division issued three citations and $88,725 in penalties to Hawaiian Electric Co., Inc., after a foreman came in contact with energized equipment and sustained a near-fatal shock and burns. Inspectors concluded that the company failed to have an effective safety and health program, train workers on the control of hazardous energy, and conduct an inspection to identify hazards before starting work.