Nov. 22, 2016
Inspection findings: An inspection began on May 16, 2016, after a complaint alleging an amputation injury in January 2016 at the window manufacturer's Dalton facility was not reported to OSHA. It was also conducted as part of OSHA's national emphasis program focused on amputations.
Inspectors cited the company for serious violations involving:
Quote: "In January 2016, an employee of this company suffered a finger amputation on his first day of work. Since then, Crystal Window & Door Systems has not taken the necessary actions to correct the safety hazards that caused the amputation," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's Wilkes-Barre Area Office. "When employers fail to provide a safe workplace, we will hold them legally accountable."
Proposed penalties: $74,826
The citations can be viewed at: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CrystalWindowsandDoors_1147868.pdf
Since 1990, Crystal Window & Doors has grown to be one of the nation's leading window manufacturers. Headquartered in Flushing, New York, the company and its subsidiaries have manufacturing space at four plants in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Riverside, California. Crystal employs over 400 people at its main factory, regional branches, subsidiaries and affiliate firms. Crystal branch offices are located in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and Missouri. Its products are distributed in more than 35 states.
The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference 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 amputations, eye loss, 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 Wilkes-Barre Office at 570- 826-6538.
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.
OSHA fines window manufacturer nearly $75K for not correcting
safety hazards following worker's finger amputation
Crystal Window & Doors cited for 8 violations at its Dalton, Pennsylvania, facility
safety hazards following worker's finger amputation
Crystal Window & Doors cited for 8 violations at its Dalton, Pennsylvania, facility
- Employer name:
- Crystal Window & Door Systems PA LLC
- Inspection site:
- 204 Franklin Valley Road
- Dalton, Pennsylvania
Inspection findings: An inspection began on May 16, 2016, after a complaint alleging an amputation injury in January 2016 at the window manufacturer's Dalton facility was not reported to OSHA. It was also conducted as part of OSHA's national emphasis program focused on amputations.
Inspectors cited the company for serious violations involving:
- No established energy control program.
- Powered industrial trucks operated by employees without proper training.
- Unguarded machinery.
- A mechanical power press operated without a single-stroke mechanism, which prevents worker exposure to amputation hazards and other injuries.
- Mechanical power presses not periodically and regularly inspected and tested.
- Damaged electrical equipment.
Quote: "In January 2016, an employee of this company suffered a finger amputation on his first day of work. Since then, Crystal Window & Door Systems has not taken the necessary actions to correct the safety hazards that caused the amputation," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's Wilkes-Barre Area Office. "When employers fail to provide a safe workplace, we will hold them legally accountable."
Proposed penalties: $74,826
The citations can be viewed at: https://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/CrystalWindowsandDoors_1147868.pdf
Since 1990, Crystal Window & Doors has grown to be one of the nation's leading window manufacturers. Headquartered in Flushing, New York, the company and its subsidiaries have manufacturing space at four plants in New York, Chicago, St. Louis and Riverside, California. Crystal employs over 400 people at its main factory, regional branches, subsidiaries and affiliate firms. Crystal branch offices are located in Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and Missouri. Its products are distributed in more than 35 states.
The employer has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, request a conference 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 amputations, eye loss, 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 Wilkes-Barre Office at 570- 826-6538.
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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