OSHA Fines Total $319,200 in Two Cases
One case involved alleged machine guarding and other violations against Crucible Specialty Metals following an investigation sparked by a worker's death Jan. 15.
OSHA offices in Massachusetts and Syracuse, N.Y., have issued machine guarding and other citations, with $249,200 in total fines assessed, against Crucible Specialty Metals following an investigation sparked by a worker's death Jan. 15 at its Syracuse plant and $70,000 in fines for alleged deficiencies in the process safety management program at Solo Cup Co.'s North Andover, Mass., plant.
The Crucible fatality occurred when the victim slipped while attaching a water line to a roller mill and was caught in the machine's rotating shafts. OSHA inspectors concluded the machine moving parts were not guarded, according to the Syracuse area office's July 15 news release. "This accident shows how even one instance of an unguarded machine can cost a worker's life," Area Director Christopher Adams said. "Safeguarding workers against death, injury, or illness on the job requires that all applicable safety and health requirements be met at all times." The case involves a total of 68 serious citations for fall, electrical, fire, exit access, crane, PPE, confined space, and material storage alleged hazards, the news release states.
The Andover case involves 19 alleged serious violations focused mainly on hazards of equipment and processes used to handle the flammable gas difluoroethane, which is used in the production of Styrofoam plates, according to OSHA.