Investigation site: 1701 Henn Parkway, Warren, Ohio
Date investigation initiated and what prompted inspection: On Oct. 22, 2014, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Cleveland office initiated an inspection at Vista Window Company LLC after receiving a complaint alleging unsafe working conditions. This was the first OSHA inspection at the Warren-based company which manufactures vinyl windows.
Investigation findings: Investigators found Vista Window Company failed to protect workers from operating parts of machinery by the use of guards. The company also failed to develop procedures for applying locking devices to prevent unintentional operation of machinery during service and maintenance. Both of these violations exposed workers to amputation* hazards.
In total, OSHA issued 16 serious and three other-than-serious violations. Other violations include:
- Failing to provide hearing and eye protection for worker's wearing prescription lenses.
- Lack of audiograms for employers exposed to noise
- Lack of training on work place hazards and procedures
- Electrical safety violations
Proposed Penalties: $79,200
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 Cleveland Area Office at (216) 447-4194.